Weighted Dangling Exercises vs Vastus Medialis Oblique Muscle Neuromuscular Stimulation for Knee Osteoarthritis

NCT07701174 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: UOL/IREB/25/15/03/26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness Weighted dangling exercises versus vastus medialis oblique muscle neuromuscular electrical stimulation(VMO+NMES) in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study will recruit 48 participants (accounting for 10% attrition), aged 40-60 years, from University of Lahore Teaching Hospital using convenience sampling. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: an interventional group receiving WDE and other interventional group undergoing VMO strength training with NMES. Both interventions will be administered three times per week for 8 weeks under professional supervision. Outcome measures including pain intensity (NPRS), Functional Disability (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index),Muscle Strength (MMT) will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Data will be analyzed using SPSS, with appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests applied after checking data normality. Ethical approval will be obtained, informed consent will be secured, and participant confidentiality will be strictly maintained.

Conditions

Osteoarthritis

Keywords

Knee Osteoarthritis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale)

  Pain in this study is defined as subjective discomfort in the knee joint caused by osteoarthritis. It was evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), which is a reliable and proven technique for quantifying pain intensity. Participants score their discomfort on an 11-point scale, with 0 indicating "no pain" and 10 representing "the worst pain imaginable.

  baseline,4 weeks and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Functional disability:(WOMAC)

  Baseline 4 weeks and 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

interventional group A

EXPERIMENTAL

The experimental group A will receive weighted dangling exercise. A gravity-assisted flexion-extension movements of the lower legs Ankle cuffs weight worn during the exercise while seated on a high couch with their legs hanging down

Behavioral: interventional group B

interventional group B

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Experimental group B receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) specifically targeting the vastus medialis oblique (VMO). The NMES parameters are as follows: electrodes were placed above the superomedial border of the patella, oriented at a 55° angle to the vertical. The stimulation frequency set at 50 Hz, with a pulse duration of 250 µs and a duty cycle of 10 seconds ON and 30 seconds OFF

Behavioral: Interventional group A

Interventions

Interventional group A BEHAVIORAL

The one group will receive weighted dangling exercise. A gravity-assisted flexion-extension movements of the lower legs Ankle cuffs weight worn during the exercise while seated on a high couch with their legs hanging down

interventional group B

interventional group B BEHAVIORAL

This group receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) specifically targeting the vastus medialis oblique (VMO). The NMES parameters are as follows: electrodes were placed above the superomedial border of the patella, oriented at a 55° angle to the vertical. The stimulation frequency set at 50 Hz, with a pulse duration of 250 µs and a duty cycle of 10 seconds ON and 30 seconds OFF

interventional group A

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both genders and aged between 40 and 60 years. Symptoms of unilateral knee pain and crepitus persist for at least 6 months during ascending and descending motion. Radiographic KOA; grade 2 or more according to Kellgren and Lawrence scale. Patient referred by an orthopedic physician Those who have taken oral corticosteroids within the last month or who received intra-articular corticosteroid injection or analgesic injection intervention for hip or knee pain within the last 3 month

You may not qualify if:

• Recent surgery (within three months) history of hip or knee joint replacement, tibial osteotomy, orthoses with systemic arthritis, history of trauma such as knee fracture and other with muscular disease of neurological disorders that would affect lower extremity function is excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases

Study Officials

• Mahnoor Fatima, MS MSK*

  University Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Hafiza Sana Ashraf, PhD PT*

  University Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ishaq Ahmed, PhD PT

CONTACT

03344066463; ishaq.ahmed@uipt.uol.edu.pk

Ashfaq Ahmed, PhD PT

CONTACT

03009449192; ashfaq.ahmed@uipt.uol.edu.pk

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 8, 2026
• First Posted: July 14, 2026
• Study Start: May 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 10, 2026
• Last Updated: July 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)