Muscle Isometric Contraction for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

NCT06870656 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: Muscle isometric contraction2024ZYD0001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study compares the effects of three different intensities of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC) on balance ability, proprioception, muscle strength, KOA symptoms, and inflammatory factors in synovial fluid among elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA).

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)

Keywords

KOA; Muscle isometric contraction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• KOA Symptoms

  The symptoms of patients with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scale. This scale comprises three dimensions: pain (5 items), stiffness (2 items), and functional limitation (17 items), totaling 24 items. Participants were required to mark their responses on a visual analog scale ranging from 0 to 100 millimeters, which were then measured and recorded by professionals using a ruler. The maximum scores for pain, stiffness, and functional limitation are 500, 200, and 1700 points, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater severity of symptoms. For the Chinese KOA patient population, the scale has demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α \> 0.7) and good reliability (ICC \> 0.8) (Xie et al., Quality of Life Research, 2008).

  16 weeks

• Balance Ability

  The BioDex Balance System from the United States was used to test the participants' balance ability, with three tests conducted and the average value taken.

  16 weeks

• Muscle Strength

  The IsoMed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer from Germany was used to test the isokinetic muscle strength of the participants' bilateral knee joints.

  16 weeks

• Proprioception

  The BioDex isokinetic dynamometer from the United States was used to test the proprioception of the participants' dominant knee joint.

  16 weeks

• Expression of IL-1β in Knee Synovial Fluid

  Synovial fluid was aspirated from one or both knee joints of the participants, with a total volume of 1 mL collected. The expression of IL-1β mRNA was measured using RT-qPCR.

  16 weeks

• Expression of TNF-α in Knee Synovial Fluid

  Synovial fluid was aspirated from one or both knee joints of the participants, with a total volume of 1 mL collected. The expression of TNF-α mRNA was measured using RT-qPCR.

  16 weeks

• Expression of MMP-13 in Knee Synovial Fluid

  Synovial fluid was aspirated from one or both knee joints of the participants, with a total volume of 1 mL collected. The expression of MMP-13 mRNA was measured using RT-qPCR.

  16 weeks

Study Arms (4)

Low-intensity group

EXPERIMENTAL

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 10 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Other: Low-intensity group

Medium-intensity group

EXPERIMENTAL

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 20 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Other: Medium-intensity group

High-intensity group

EXPERIMENTAL

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 30 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Other: High-intensity group

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Health Education: All participants received standardized health guidance, which was delivered in the form of a weekly 60-minute lecture. The content of the lectures included the following: Emphasizing the importance of close cooperation with medical professionals for maintaining health. Explaining the etiology, progression, and treatment options for Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA). Discussing the positive impact of family and social support on recovery. Providing guidance on establishing healthy daily living habits, such as protecting the affected knee joints, avoiding prolonged walking, climbing, or frequent use of stairs, and correcting poor postures (e.g., prolonged standing, kneeling, and squatting). For those who are overweight, weight loss was recommended.

Interventions

Low-intensity group OTHER

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 10 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Also known as: Muscle Isometric Contraction

Low-intensity group

Medium-intensity group OTHER

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 20 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Medium-intensity group

High-intensity group OTHER

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 30 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

High-intensity group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 60 to 80 years;
• Based on the diagnostic criteria for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) established by the American College of Rheumatology in 2001, participants with KOA graded 1 to 3 were selected;
• Compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and signing of the informed consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Cardiovascular diseases;
• Need for surgery or pharmacological treatment in the near future;
• Neuromuscular diseases;
• Currently engaged in regular exercise.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chengdu Sport University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis, Knee

Interventions

Isometric Contraction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Osteoarthritis; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscle Contraction; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Liang Cheng

  Chengdu Sport University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Shuwan Chang

CONTACT

18280314728; changshuwan1025@163.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 6, 2025
• First Posted: March 11, 2025
• Study Start: September 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 20, 2025
• Study Completion: September 20, 2025
• Last Updated: March 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share