NCT07403448

Brief Summary

The study will be conducted to compare effects of 9 points electrical dry needling along with standard physical therapy and standard physical therapy alone in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
44

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
2mo left

Started Jan 2026

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress65%
Jan 2026Jul 2026

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 25, 2026

Completed
10 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 4, 2026

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 11, 2026

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2026

Expected
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 25, 2026

Last Updated

February 11, 2026

Status Verified

February 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

4 months

First QC Date

February 4, 2026

Last Update Submit

February 4, 2026

Conditions

Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis

Keywords

Arthritis, knee pain, Electrical dry needling, Grade 3 KOA, Functional limitations

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

  • Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

    Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) measures subjective pain intensity using an 11-point numeric scale (0-10) where 0 = "no pain" and 10 = "worst pain imaginable". Patients verbally or mark on a horizontal line the whole number best reflecting current pain severity, typically assessing "current pain," "worst pain," "least pain," or "average pain" over the prior 24 hours. Mild pain = 1-3, moderate pain = 4-6, severe pain = 7-10 guides clinical decision-making. changes in NPRS scale will be measured baseline and at the end of 6 week.

    from enrollment to the end of 6 week

  • Goniometer measures joint range of motion (ROM)

    Goniometer: Precision instrument measuring joint range of motion (ROM) in degrees using protractor body with two arms (stationary and movable) aligned to anatomical bony landmarks spanning the joint axis. Primary Use: Quantifies active (AROM) and passive (PROM) joint excursion for objective baseline, progress tracking, and impairment rating. Universal goniometer most common; digital/smartphone apps offer improved reliability (ICC \>0.9 vs 0.74-0.91 traditional). Reliability: Long-arm \> short-arm (MSD 6° vs 10°); inter/intra-rater ICC 0.84-0.99 with standardized technique. changes in knee flexion and extension ROM will be measured baseline and at the end of 6 week.

    from enrollment to the end of 6 week

  • WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index)

    WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) is a validated, disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure for hip/knee osteoarthritis assessing pain (5 items, 0-20), stiffness (2 items, 0-8), and physical function (17 items, 0-68) over past 48 hours. Scoring: Likert 0-4 scale per item (0=None, 4=Extreme); higher total scores (0-96) indicate worse symptoms. MCID: 12% improvement (\~9-12 points) represents clinically meaningful change. changes in WOMAC score will be measured baseline and at the end of 6 week.

    from enrollment to the end of 6 week

  • EQ-5D 3L (QUALITY OF LIFE)

    EQ-5D-3L is developed by EuroQol groups is standardized instrument for measurement of health-related quality of life. it administers strong test-retest reliability for knee OA which of 0.73 to 0.91. Changes in EQ-5D 3L will be measured at baseline and at 6 weeks.

    From enrollment to the end of 6 week

Study Arms (2)

Experimental : 9 points electrical dry needling along with standard physical therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

3 times per week for 6 weeks

Other: 9 points electrical dry needlingOther: Standard physical therapy

active comparator: standard physical therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

3 times per week for6 weeks

Other: Standard physical therapy

Interventions

9 points electrical dry needlingOTHER

9 points electrical dry needling, stainless steel dry needles of size 0.25 into 30mm will be used, inserted perpendicularly into popliteus, adductor magnus, tibialis anterior, quad tendon, vastus lateralis, medialis, medial \& lateral infrapatellar sulcus, extensor digitorum longus.

Experimental : 9 points electrical dry needling along with standard physical therapy
Standard physical therapyOTHER

Standarized physical therapy: HOT pack for 5 min, hams \& quads stretching for 30 sec \& 6 reps, quads strengthening straight leg raise \& leg press will be performed 15 reps \& 3 sets, for hams seated leg curls \& gluteal bridges will be performed 15 reps \& 3 sets. MWM in weight bearing position: The glide will be applied in weight bearing, effected knee on stepper, the therapist will be exactly sitting in front of the patient \& patient will be asked to place the limb up on the stepper one hand of the therapist has to be on the lateral side of the tibia and other hand on the medial side of the femur \& now the patient will be asked to climb, therapist will apply medial \& lateral pressure 10 reps \& 3 sets.

Experimental : 9 points electrical dry needling along with standard physical therapyactive comparator: standard physical therapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age40 Years - 60 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • participants age group from 40-60 years
  • Both male and female genders
  • Knee osteoarthritis (OA) confirmed by radiographic evidence (Kellgren- Lawrence grade 3).
  • Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) ≥ 4/10.
  • Able to stand and bear weight on affected knee.
  • WOMAC score \> 25 moderate level of difficulty performing ADL
  • Participant with restricted range of motion
  • Pain while walking and ascending stairs
  • Patients volunteered to participate in the study and signed informed consent

You may not qualify if:

  • Mild to severe knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 4).
  • Recent knee surgery or injection (\<6 months).
  • Knee instability and ligamentous injury.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • Patient with needle phobia and with history of abnormal reaction to needles.
  • Diagnosed psychological disorders
  • Anticoagulant patient, tumors and hematomas.
  • All acute emergencies and acute systematic fevers.
  • Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Hospital, Quetta

Quetta, Balochistan, 87900, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint DiseasesMusculoskeletal Diseases

Study Officials

  • Shakil ur Rehman, Ph.D

    Riphah International University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Imran Amjad, Ph.D

CONTACT

+923324390125imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 4, 2026

First Posted

February 11, 2026

Study Start

January 25, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 25, 2026

Last Updated

February 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

PA(1)