AzTrials
AzTrials

OsteoarthritisKneeNCT02964624

Ostearthritis Biomarkers and Rehabilitation

A study testing Rehabilitation in people with Osteoarthritis, run by Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein at 2 sites in Brazil.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of degenerative joint disease. Furthermore, despite its incidence being amongst the highest in chronic diseases, effective biomarkers, diagnostic aids and imaging technology are not available to assist in the management of OA. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 45 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Osteoarthritis
What is being tested?
Rehabilitation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
65 participants
Where
2 sitesBrazil
Study dates
2 Jul 2018to 30 Dec 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 45 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women and men aged 45-65 years
  • Clinical knee osteoarthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology Clinical Criteria
  • Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) radiographic osteoarthritis grade 2 and 3 (mild to moderate radiographic osteoarthritis)

Who cannot join

  • Severe knee osteoarthritis according to the KL classification (grade 4)
  • Other known major musculoskeletal impairments in the lower extremities or the back or prostheses in any joint of the lower extremities
  • Known serious coronary heart diseases or cancer
  • Body mass index >35
  • Scheduled for surgery in any joint
  • Persons who already perform sports related moderate physical activity more than two times a week
Show all 9Show fewer
  • History of knee replacement surgery or high tibial osteotomy;
  • Any knee surgery or corticosteroid injections within the previous 6 months;
  • Miss more than two rehabilitation sessions during the program or more than two consecutive sessions.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Brazil2 sites
  • Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo

    São Paulo, São Paulo, 04022-001

  • Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

    São Paulo, São Paulo, 05652-000

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Official title: Response of Osteoarthritis Biomarkers After a Rehabilitation Program

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of degenerative joint disease. Furthermore, despite its incidence being amongst the highest in chronic diseases, effective biomarkers, diagnostic aids and imaging technology are not available to assist in the management of OA. Mounting evidence suggests that non-pharmacological treatment such as exercise/physical therapy may lower the risk for onset or progression of OA by mitigating inflammation. However, the mechanical unloading and overloading, as seen in disuse and overuse, lead to upregulation of several proinflammatory molecules and enhance tissue degradation, whereas, dynamic moderate mechanical loading exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects on articular cartilage by suppressing mediators of inflammation. However, the lack of robust biomarkers to measure the effectiveness of physical therapies, represent a critical gap in biotechnology, obliterating the progress in the optimal application of these therapies. Our central hypothesis is that the circulating levels of specific molecules could serve as robust biomarkers for quantitative measures of OA burden, prognosis, progression or treatment efficacy. The objective of this project is to identify and evaluate mediators that serve as biomarkers of OA progression and treatment. Recently, high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB-1) has been suggested to be markedly upregulated in OA. However, presently there are no inhibitors of HMGB1 that could be used therapeutically. Previous results showed that that gentle exercise is the only tool that can mitigate HMGB1 production by local and systemic macrophages, and thus inflammation. Serum concentration of HMGB1 will be evaluate as a biomarker in OA patients and relate it to the functional capacity of knee joints in OA patients after rehabilitation protocol (RP). The RP will consist of three rehabilitation session/week during eight weeks. The efficacy of a RP will be evaluated by functional scale Western Ontario \& McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC), Scale for the measurement of health related quality of life using EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EuroQOL), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and physical function tests. Besides all clinical assessment, serum levels of classical pro-inflammatory cytokines, hyaluronan and HMGB1 will be evaluated. A correlation of physical improvement after RP and serum biomarkers will be performed.

Read the detailed description

Detailed Description:

Methods/Design

  1. Participants after being textually and verbally informed about their rights, benefits and possible risks, objectives and methodologies of this study, all participants will sign a free and informed consent form.
  2. Study Design Prior to the rehabilitation protocol (RP), participants will perform one adaptation session to all the functional tests that will be applied to minimize learning bias. In the second session after 5 minutes warm up in a cycle ergometer (CEE), the Time Up and Go (TUG) test will be applied, followed by the isometric strength test. In the third day, after the same warm up, one repetition maximum testing will be conducted. At the end of the RP, all the tests will be repeated. Blood samples will be collected at baseline (day 0), 1 month (day 30 after RP) and at 2 months (day 60 after RP).

2.1. Rehabilitation protocol (RP) The RP will consist of 3 exercise session/week for 8 weeks. Each session will begin with the evaluation of pain by the participants. If the pain is higher than four, an analgesic protocol (AP) containing ultra-sound, laser or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) will be applied. After the AP, the participant will just execute the rehabilitation protocol if the pain decreased to or lower than four. Starting with a warm up exercise in a cycle ergometer (CEE), for 5 minutes at free cadence, then the intensity will be set at 90% of the intensity obtained during the incremental test (see item 2.2a) and maintained for 10 min. Afterward, four sets (8-12 repetitions) of three different resistance exercises (RE) (leg press, knee extension and knee flexion) will be performed at 70% of the load correspondent to 1RM test (see item 2.2b) with one minute interval between sets and exercises. During CEE Borg scale will be taken every two minutes and during RE the omnibus (OMNI) scale taken at the end of every set to monitor the intensity. At the end of the session, cool down global stretching exercises for inferior members will be performed and the VAS evaluated again. Ten seconds of tension for each stretching position targeting the hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteus maxim ums, gastrocnemius, thigh adductors and abductors.

2.2. Rehabilitation intensity parameters.

  1. Cycle ergometer incremental test (CEEIT). After 5 minutes warm up at free cadence in a cycle ergometer, the intensity will be increased every 3 minutes until the participants register 11 to 13 in Borg scale which is consider a moderate intensity and to be correlated to blood lactate concentration threshold and anaerobic threshold, respectively .
  2. One repetition maximum. The test starts with a warm up of 5 to 10 repetitions with estimated moderate load (± 40-60% of 1RM). After 1 minute rest 3 to 5 repetitions are performed with higher load (±60-80% of 1RM) with 5 minutes rest. Then one attempt at estimated 1RM is given. If the participants fail to lift the load for two repetitions the test stops, otherwise after 5 minutes rest the load is increased and the test is performed again. Only five attempts per day are permitted to maintain the test reliable.

Sample size calculation The estimation of sample size was determined on the basis of a greater improvement of subscale physical function of the WOMAC score, using G.Power 3.15 software. Based on 10% expected difference between baseline measure and after RP and a standard deviation of 30 on physical function of WOMAC, 65 participants are needed with significance level of 0.05, and power of 80%.

Conditions
Osteoarthritis
Being tested
Rehabilitation
Keywords
Osteoarthritis, biomarkers, HMGB1, knee
Medical subject headings
Osteoarthritis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • RehabilitationOther

    Protocol will consist of three exercise/week for eight weeks. Each session will begin with the evaluation of pain by the volunteer. Starting with a warm up exercise in a cycle ergometer (CEE), for 5 minutes at free cadence, then the intensity will be set at 90% of the intensity obtained during the incremental test and maintained for 10 min. Afterward, four sets of three different resistance exercises (RE) will be performed at 70% of the load correspondent to 1RM test with one minute interval between sets and exercises. During CEE Borg scale will be taken every two minutes and during RE the OMNI scale taken at the end of every set to monitor the intensity. At the end of the session, cool down global stretching exercises for inferior members will be performed and the VAS evaluated.

Study groups in NCT02964624
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
RehabilitationOtherThe rehabilitation protocol will consist of three exercise session/week for eight weeks
Receives: Other: Rehabilitation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from baseline to month 2 in Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index score

    Participants will answer the questionnaire WOMAC for the assessment of lower extremity pain, stiffness and physical function during daily activities. The WOMAC measures five items for pain (score range 0-20), two for stiffness (score range 0-8), and 17 for functional limitation (score range 0-68). For each item, the possible range of scores is therefore 0-100. Items are summed for each subscale, resulting in possible ranges as follows: pain=0-500, stiffness=0-200, physical function=0-1700. Most commonly, a total WOMAC score is created by summing the items for all three subscales. Higher scores on the WOMAC indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations. The collected data will be present through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Measured: Baseline and 2 month

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Change from baseline to month 2 in TUG test

    The purpose of TUG is to test basic mobility skills of frail elderly persons. The test consists of the time measurement in seconds for a participant to rise from sitting from a standard arm chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down. The unity of measure is time in seconds. It will also be performed on day 0 (baseline) and day 60 (2 months after RP). The collected data will be present through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Measured: Baseline and 2 month

  2. Change from baseline to month 2 in VAS analysis.

    The pain VAS is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity, which has been widely used in diverse adult populations, including those with rheumatic diseases. The unity of measures is in points. It will also be performed on day 0 (baseline) and day 60 (2 months after RP). The collected data will be present through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Measured: Baseline and 2 month

  3. Change from baseline in proinflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of cartilage breakdown in blood

    Serum samples will be obtained by venous blood collection (3 vacutainer tubes, each containing 6 mL). The venous blood will be collected from the antecubital vein on day 0 (baseline), day 30 (1 month after RP) and day 60 (2 months after RP). After being centrifuged at 1800 g for 10 minutes, samples will be stored at -80 degrees Celsius in 1 mL aliquots. Serum concentrations of cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) will be simultaneously evaluated. Serum HMGB1 and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), will be analyzed by specific kits. The unity of measure is ng/mL. The collected data will be present through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month and 2 month after RP

  4. Change from baseline to month 2 in Health-related quality of life (EuroQOL-5D, EQ-5D)

    Health-related QOL will be assessed by the EQ-5D. The unity of measure is in points. Also, day 0 (pre-RP) and day 60 (after 2 months of RP) will be evaluated for assessment. The collected data will be present through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Measured: Baseline and 2 month

  5. Change from baseline to month 2 in Radiographic knee osteoarthritis progression (joint space and KL score)

    Radiological examination of conventional radiographic procedure will be performed at baseline and at day 60 after RP (2 month) for assessment. The degree of osteoarthritis can vary 0 to 5. The collected data will be present through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Measured: Baseline and 2 month

  6. Change from baseline to month 2 in Isometric strength testing

    Isometric strength will be measured by the peak torque (PT) obtained during knee extension (PTE) and flexion (PTF) maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex, Shirley, NY). During test the participants was seated and securely strapped the dynamometer chair. For knee extension MVC the thigh and leg angle will be 75° (0° = total extension) and for knee flexion MVC thigh-leg angle will be 40° (0° = total extension). Two attempts of five seconds MVC will be performed for each joint movement, with 3 minutes of interval between them. The unity of measure is Newtons per meter (N.m). The isometric PTE and PTF will be determined as the highest PT values between attempts. It will also be performed on day 0 (pre-RP) and day 60 (after 2 months of RP) for assessment. The data will be present through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Measured: Baseline and 2 month

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Nov 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start2 Jul 2018
  3. Primary completion30 Aug 2019
  4. Study completion30 Dec 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
65 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02964624
Sponsor's protocol ID
Osteoarthritis
Acronym
Knee
Status last verified
Jul 2018
First submitted
21 Oct 2016
Last updated
22 Sep 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Weinstein SL, Jacobs JJ, Goldberg MJ. Osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2006 Jun 8;354(23):2508-9; author reply 2508-9. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc060815. No abstract available.

    PubMed 16760456
  • Kapoor M, Martel-Pelletier J, Lajeunesse D, Pelletier JP, Fahmi H. Role of proinflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2011 Jan;7(1):33-42. doi: 10.1038/nrrheum.2010.196. Epub 2010 Nov 30.

    PubMed 21119608
  • Cross M, Smith E, Hoy D, Nolte S, Ackerman I, Fransen M, Bridgett L, Williams S, Guillemin F, Hill CL, Laslett LL, Jones G, Cicuttini F, Osborne R, Vos T, Buchbinder R, Woolf A, March L. The global burden of hip and knee osteoarthritis: estimates from the global burden of disease 2010 study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014 Jul;73(7):1323-30. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204763. Epub 2014 Feb 19.

    PubMed 24553908
  • McAlindon TE, Bannuru RR, Sullivan MC, Arden NK, Berenbaum F, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Hawker GA, Henrotin Y, Hunter DJ, Kawaguchi H, Kwoh K, Lohmander S, Rannou F, Roos EM, Underwood M. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014 Mar;22(3):363-88. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.01.003. Epub 2014 Jan 24.

    PubMed 24462672
  • Zhang W, Moskowitz RW, Nuki G, Abramson S, Altman RD, Arden N, Bierma-Zeinstra S, Brandt KD, Croft P, Doherty M, Dougados M, Hochberg M, Hunter DJ, Kwoh K, Lohmander LS, Tugwell P. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Feb;16(2):137-62. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2007.12.013.

    PubMed 18279766
  • Altman R, Asch E, Bloch D, Bole G, Borenstein D, Brandt K, Christy W, Cooke TD, Greenwald R, Hochberg M, et al. Development of criteria for the classification and reporting of osteoarthritis. Classification of osteoarthritis of the knee. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Criteria Committee of the American Rheumatism Association. Arthritis Rheum. 1986 Aug;29(8):1039-49. doi: 10.1002/art.1780290816.

    PubMed 3741515
  • Hsueh MF, Onnerfjord P, Kraus VB. Biomarkers and proteomic analysis of osteoarthritis. Matrix Biol. 2014 Oct;39:56-66. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2014.08.012. Epub 2014 Aug 30.

    PubMed 25179675
  • Kraus VB, Blanco FJ, Englund M, Henrotin Y, Lohmander LS, Losina E, Onnerfjord P, Persiani S. OARSI Clinical Trials Recommendations: Soluble biomarker assessments in clinical trials in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015 May;23(5):686-97. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2015.03.002.

    PubMed 25952342
  • Terada C, Yoshida A, Nasu Y, Mori S, Tomono Y, Tanaka M, Takahashi HK, Nishibori M, Ozaki T, Nishida K. Gene expression and localization of high-mobility group box chromosomal protein-1 (HMGB-1)in human osteoarthritic cartilage. Acta Med Okayama. 2011 Dec;65(6):369-77. doi: 10.18926/AMO/47262.

    PubMed 22189477
  • Hunt MA, Pollock CL, Kraus VB, Saxne T, Peters S, Huebner JL, Sayre EC, Cibere J. Relationships amongst osteoarthritis biomarkers, dynamic knee joint load, and exercise: results from a randomized controlled pilot study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2013 Mar 27;14:115. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-115.

    PubMed 23530976
  • Andersson U, Harris HE. The role of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of rheumatic disease. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Jan-Feb;1799(1-2):141-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2009.11.003.

    PubMed 20123076
  • Imamura M, Ezquerro F, Marcon Alfieri F, Vilas Boas L, Tozetto-Mendoza TR, Chen J, Ozcakar L, Arendt-Nielsen L, Rizzo Battistella L. Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in painful knee osteoarthritis and sensitization. Int J Inflam. 2015;2015:329792. doi: 10.1155/2015/329792. Epub 2015 Mar 2.

    PubMed 25821631
  • Li ZC, Cheng GQ, Hu KZ, Li MQ, Zang WP, Dong YQ, Wang WL, Liu ZD. Correlation of synovial fluid HMGB-1 levels with radiographic severity of knee osteoarthritis. Clin Invest Med. 2011 Oct 1;34(5):E298. doi: 10.25011/cim.v34i5.15673.

    PubMed 21968272
  • Campedelli RR, Jardim MRS, Antonioli E, de Oliveira FBD, Agarwal S, Ferretti M. Effect of simplified exercise program on quality of life, biomarkers, pain and muscle strength of individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2025 Dec 1;23:eAO1192. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2025AO1192. eCollection 2025.

    PubMed 41379149

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Rehabilitation in people with Osteoarthritis, run by Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein at 2 sites in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Sep 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from baseline to month 2 in Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index score (time frame: Baseline and 2 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02964624, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Sep 2023.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in