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GonarthrosisNCT05877027

Exercise vs. Topical Diclofenac vs. PRP

A study testing Exercise, Topical Diclofenac and Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) in people with Gonarthrosis, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

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

Official record
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Trial summary

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is a chronic and degenerative joint disease. It has been reported to affect more than 300 million adults and elderly individuals worldwide. The joint most commonly affected by osteoarthritis is the knee joint and this condition is called gonarthrosis. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 40 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Gonarthrosis
What is being tested?
Exercise, Topical Diclofenac and Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP)
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
82 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
20 Mar 2024to 18 May 2025
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 40 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosed with gonarthrosis according to the criteria of the American Society of Rheumatology (ACR)
  • Stage 2 or 3 according to Kellgren Lawrence radiological staging criteria,
  • Those between the ages of 40 and 65,
  • Body mass index below 30 kg/m2,
  • Pain intensity defined by the patient in the last 3 months is at least 3 out of 10 according to NPRS,
  • Patients who do not have any barriers to being included in the exercise program

Who cannot join

  • Being in stage 4 according to Kellgren Lawrence radiological staging criteria,
  • Hemoglobin level <11.5 g/dL
  • Platelet level <100,000/μL
  • Thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, crystal arthropathy, hemophilia or hematological malignancy,
  • Presence of active infection or tumor,
  • Chronic antiaggregant use or taking immunosuppressive therapy,
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Pregnancy or lactation,
  • Viscosupplementation or steroid injection in the related knee in the last 3 months, or using systemic steroids,
  • To have received a physiotherapy program for the relevant knee in the last 3 months,
  • Having a valgus or varus deformity greater than 15°,
  • Presence of neurological diseases and/or deformity leading to lower extremity muscle weakness
  • Having serious systemic and cardiovascular diseases that interfere with exercise

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa

    Istanbul, Istanbul, 34500

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Comparison of Commonly Used Treatment Approaches in the Treatment of Gonarthrosis: Platelet-Rich Plasma, Topical Diclofenac, and Exercise

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is a chronic and degenerative joint disease. It has been reported to affect more than 300 million adults and elderly individuals worldwide. The joint most commonly affected by osteoarthritis is the knee joint and this condition is called gonarthrosis.

The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and ultimately slow the progression of the disease with various treatment options throughout the course of the disease.Current clinical studies prepared by the working groups of the International Osteoarthritis Research Society (OARSI) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) According to the guidelines, treatment typically includes physiotherapy interventions with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics, including intra-articular injections of corticosteroids. Exercise-oriented physiotherapy is one of the main approaches for the conservative treatment of gonarthrosis. The curative clinical effect of exercise therapy on pain and functional disability in gonarthrosis is important.

Read more

The use of PRP in the treatment of gonarthrosis is based on the ability of platelets to release biologically active proteins and promote tissue healing. Since the cartilage tissue mainly affected in gonarthrosis has low healing potential, this feature of platelets becomes more important for the target tissue. Existing studies show that PRP is superior to hyaluronic acid in intermediate and initial gonarthrosis; on the other hand, less satisfactory results are reported in severe gonarthrosis, similar to viscosupplementation.

Topically or orally administered NSAIDs form the backbone of pharmacological treatment in gonarthrosis.

It is seen that both exercise, PRP and topical NSAID agents are among the recommendations in the treatment of gonarthrosis. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the superiority and therapeutic efficacy of these three treatment approaches. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of "exercise", "PRP" and "NSAID-specific topical agents" in the treatment of patients with gonarthrosis; pain, function, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.

Read the detailed description

Voluntary participants who have been diagnosed with gonarthritis will be included in the study. Signed voluntary consent will be obtained from participants. Participants will be divided into tree groups. Study groups will be as follows: a) exercise, b) topical diclofenac, c) platalet-rich-plasma (PRP).

Conditions
Gonarthrosis
Being tested
Exercise, Topical Diclofenac, Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP)
Keywords
Physiotherapy, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Intraarticular Injection, Osteoarthrosis
Medical subject headings
Osteoarthritis, Knee, Osteoarthritis

What participants receive

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

  • ExerciseOther

    The first 3 weeks of the exercise program will include range of motion exercises, isometric and isotonic strengthening exercises for the muscles around the knee and hip, and stretching exercises. In the following 3 weeks, resistance strengthening exercises and closed kinetic chain exercises will be added to the program.

  • Topical DiclofenacOther

    They will apply it around the knee joint 4 days a week, 2 times a day (every 12 hours), morning and evening for 6 weeks.

  • Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP)Other

    8 ml of blood will be taken from each patient in tubes containing 0.9 ml of 3.2% sodium citrate. Swing-out rotor (open-swing type) will be placed in the centrifuge with the tubes facing each other. After centrifugation, 2.5 cc of PRP product will be collected from each tube and the resulting PRP will be administered to patients by injection under sterile conditions.

Study groups in NCT05877027
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention Group 1Active comparatorThe patients in the Exercise group will be treated with a structured exercise program. The exercises will be applied by the research physiotherapist for 6 weeks, 2 days a week. Each training session is planned to last approximately 30 minutes.
Receives: Other: Exercise
Intervention Group 2Active comparatorThe patients in the topical agent group were prescribed by the orthopedist. they will use the topical agent. Diclofenac in gel form was chosen as a topical agent in the light of the literature. In this context, patients in both groups will apply the topical agent around the knee joint 4 days a week, 2 times a day (every 12 hours) in the morning and evening for 6 weeks.
Receives: Other: Topical Diclofenac
Intervention Group 3Active comparatorThe PRP procedure with the same characteristics will be used in the treatment of patients in the PRP group. The PRP application will be prepared by the orthopedics and traumatology specialist physician in the research team, using the kits provided within the scope of the project. In order to collect venous blood for the PRP production procedure, gamma sterile vacuum tubes and blood collection set in special kits without the risk of contamination will be used. A total of 3 doses will be administered to the patients, with a one-week interval between doses.
Receives: Other: Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP)

What is being measured

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

  1. Change of Pain via Numeric Pain Rating Scale

    On this scale, "0" indicates the absence of pain, and "10" indicates the most severe pain imaginable. Patients will be asked to rate the severity of their knee pain with a number between 0 and 10 using this scale. The minimum clinically significant difference value (MCID) of this valid and reliable pain scale is 1.74 points.

    Measured: change from baseline pain at 6 months

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. WOMAC

    WOMAC assesses the level of difficulty, pain and joint stiffness experienced by the patients during their physical functions. WOMAC score is a 5-point Likert-type scale, high scores indicate poor status and consist of a total of 24 questions.

    Measured: 4 times for 24 weeks

  2. 40 meters fast walking test

    For 40mHYT, patients will be asked to walk as fast as possible on a flat and hard surface, on a 10-meter marked walking path. Walking time will be measured in seconds with a stopwatch. The test will be repeated three times and the arithmetic mean of these measurements will be recorded as the result value. Considering the age range of the patients, it was planned to allow a one-minute rest period between retests.

    Measured: 4 times for 24 weeks

  3. Stepping Test

    Patients will be asked to climb 10 pre-marked 20 cm high steps as quickly as possible on a standard ladder. The test time will be measured in seconds with a stopwatch. The test will be repeated 3 times and the average value will be recorded in seconds. Similarly, in this evaluation, patients were given a one-minute rest period between 3 repetitions of the test.

    Measured: 4 times for 24 weeks

  4. Joint Range of Motion Evaluation

    During the assessments, three repeat measurements will be made using an electronic goniometer. For goniometric measurement, the pivot point will be placed on the lateral condyle of the femur. The fixed arm will be held parallel to the lateral midline of the femur. The movable arm will follow the movement of the fibula.

    Measured: 4 times for 24 weeks

  5. Health-Related Quality of Life Short Form-12 Scale (SF-12)

    SF-12 is the abbreviated version of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Quality of Life Scale and is frequently preferred for ease of use. It has 2 components, physical and mental, scored between 0 and 50. A high score from the score indicates health-related well-being and increased quality of life, while a decrease indicates worsening.

    Measured: 4 times for 24 weeks

  6. Global Rating of Change Scale-GRC

    It will be used to evaluate patient satisfaction. It is designed to determine the amount of improvement or worsening of the patient over time. In our study, GRC consisting of 5 levels between -2 and +2 value ranges (-2: I am much worse, -1: I am worse, 0: I am the same, 1: I am better, 2: I am much better) was preferred.

    Measured: 4 times for 24 weeks

Timeline

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

  1. First posted26 May 2023
  2. Study start20 Mar 2024
  3. Primary completion18 Mar 2025
  4. Study completion18 May 2025

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
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
82 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05877027
Sponsor's protocol ID
4370438302
Status last verified
Jan 2025
First submitted
17 May 2023
Last updated
4 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, Oatis C, Guyatt G, Block J, Callahan L, Copenhaver C, Dodge C, Felson D, Gellar K, Harvey WF, Hawker G, Herzig E, Kwoh CK, Nelson AE, Samuels J, Scanzello C, White D, Wise B, Altman RD, DiRenzo D, Fontanarosa J, Giradi G, Ishimori M, Misra D, Shah AA, Shmagel AK, Thoma LM, Turgunbaev M, Turner AS, Reston J. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020 Feb;72(2):220-233. doi: 10.1002/art.41142. Epub 2020 Jan 6.

    PubMed 31908163
  • Safiri S, Kolahi AA, Smith E, Hill C, Bettampadi D, Mansournia MA, Hoy D, Ashrafi-Asgarabad A, Sepidarkish M, Almasi-Hashiani A, Collins G, Kaufman J, Qorbani M, Moradi-Lakeh M, Woolf AD, Guillemin F, March L, Cross M. Global, regional and national burden of osteoarthritis 1990-2017: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020 Jun;79(6):819-828. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216515. Epub 2020 May 12.

    PubMed 32398285
  • Loeser RF, Goldring SR, Scanzello CR, Goldring MB. Osteoarthritis: a disease of the joint as an organ. Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Jun;64(6):1697-707. doi: 10.1002/art.34453. Epub 2012 Mar 5. No abstract available.

    PubMed 22392533
  • Bruyere O, Honvo G, Veronese N, Arden NK, Branco J, Curtis EM, Al-Daghri NM, Herrero-Beaumont G, Martel-Pelletier J, Pelletier JP, Rannou F, Rizzoli R, Roth R, Uebelhart D, Cooper C, Reginster JY. An updated algorithm recommendation for the management of knee osteoarthritis from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO). Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2019 Dec;49(3):337-350. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2019.04.008. Epub 2019 Apr 30.

    PubMed 31126594
  • Katz JN, Arant KR, Loeser RF. Diagnosis and Treatment of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review. JAMA. 2021 Feb 9;325(6):568-578. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.22171.

    PubMed 33560326
  • Gregori D, Giacovelli G, Minto C, Barbetta B, Gualtieri F, Azzolina D, Vaghi P, Rovati LC. Association of Pharmacological Treatments With Long-term Pain Control in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2018 Dec 25;320(24):2564-2579. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.19319.

    PubMed 30575881
  • Arden NK, Perry TA, Bannuru RR, Bruyere O, Cooper C, Haugen IK, Hochberg MC, McAlindon TE, Mobasheri A, Reginster JY. Non-surgical management of knee osteoarthritis: comparison of ESCEO and OARSI 2019 guidelines. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2021 Jan;17(1):59-66. doi: 10.1038/s41584-020-00523-9. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

    PubMed 33116279
  • van Doormaal MCM, Meerhoff GA, Vliet Vlieland TPM, Peter WF. A clinical practice guideline for physical therapy in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Musculoskeletal Care. 2020 Dec;18(4):575-595. doi: 10.1002/msc.1492. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

    PubMed 32643252
  • Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Vaysbrot EE, Arden NK, Bennell K, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, Kraus VB, Lohmander LS, Abbott JH, Bhandari M, Blanco FJ, Espinosa R, Haugen IK, Lin J, Mandl LA, Moilanen E, Nakamura N, Snyder-Mackler L, Trojian T, Underwood M, McAlindon TE. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019 Nov;27(11):1578-1589. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.06.011. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

    PubMed 31278997
  • Fransen M, McConnell S, Harmer AR, Van der Esch M, Simic M, Bennell KL. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee: a Cochrane systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2015 Dec;49(24):1554-7. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095424. Epub 2015 Sep 24.

    PubMed 26405113
  • Fernandes L, Hagen KB, Bijlsma JW, Andreassen O, Christensen P, Conaghan PG, Doherty M, Geenen R, Hammond A, Kjeken I, Lohmander LS, Lund H, Mallen CD, Nava T, Oliver S, Pavelka K, Pitsillidou I, da Silva JA, de la Torre J, Zanoli G, Vliet Vlieland TP; European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013 Jul;72(7):1125-35. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202745. Epub 2013 Apr 17.

    PubMed 23595142

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Exercise, Topical Diclofenac and Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) in people with Gonarthrosis, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 6 inclusion and 12 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 4 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). 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 of Pain via Numeric Pain Rating Scale (time frame: change from baseline pain at 6 months). 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 NCT05877027, which also lists 11 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 4 Sep 2025.

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