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Meniscus InjuryNCT06870825

Assessment of Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Function in Patients After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery in Outpatient Rehabilitation

A study testing High-intensity Magnetic Field Muscle Stimulation and Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in people with Meniscus Injury and Meniscus Tear, run by Lithuanian University of Health Sciences at 1 site in Lithuania.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a high intensity magnetic field is an effective way to treat quadriceps muscle atrophy after knee arthroscopic surgery in adult patients. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
What is being tested?
High-intensity Magnetic Field Muscle Stimulation and Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
150 participants
Where
1 siteLithuania
Study dates
1 Jan 2025to 1 Aug 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

Who may be able to join

  • 18 years and older (working age).
  • Arthroscopic knee joint surgery performed
  • The dr. orthopedic traumatologist allowed the operated limb to be activated - and rehabilitation to begin
  • The period between the operation and the start of rehabilitation is not shorter than 4 weeks and not longer than 2 months.
  • Impaired self-service or movement function: Barthel index 80 points or more (according to the order of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania) Subjects agreeing to participate in the study

Who cannot join

  • Contraindications to electrostimulation or high-intensity magnetic therapy:
  • Epilepsy
  • Implanted electrical devices
  • Acute rhythm disorders
  • Oncological diseases (near the stimulation site, active treatment)
  • Sensory disorders
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Skin lesions (near the stimulation site)
  • Pregnancy.
  • Cannot perform the functional tests presented in the study.
  • Subjects who cannot be treated with a standardized outpatient rehabilitation plan due to other contraindications (e.g. IC, DVT)
  • Subjects who refuse to participate in the study

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Lithuania1 site
  • Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

    Kaunas

Other trials in Lithuania

About this study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a high intensity magnetic field is an effective way to treat quadriceps muscle atrophy after knee arthroscopic surgery in adult patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is high intensity magnetic field muscle stimulation is an effective way to treat quadriceps muscle atrophy Is high intensity magnetic field muscle stimulation is more effective and more tolerable option for quadriceps muscle stimulation than transcutaneous muscle electrical stimulation Researchers will compare high intensity magnetic field muscle stimulation to transcutaneous muscle electrical stimulation and control group, to see if high intensity magnetic field muscle stimulation works to treat quadriceps muscle atrophy.

Read more

Participants will:

receive high intensity magnetic field or transcutaneous muscle electrical stimulation 1 time/day for 14 days, Visit the rehabilitation department for testing before/after and 1 month after rehabilitation.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of quadriceps muscle stimulation methods: transcutaneous neuromuscular electrostimulation (standard methodology) and high-intensity magnetic field (innovative methodology) stimulation in the rehabilitation of patients after arthroscopic knee surgery, and the impact of the applied methods on the quality of life.

Objectives:

  1. To evaluate and check the quadriceps muscle volume, strength, knee joint motion amplitude, pain intensity before and after outpatient rehabilitation and to identify factors that may influence their occurrence.
  2. To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation and high-intensity magnetic field stimulation on changes in quadriceps muscle volume and strength in patients undergoing outpatient rehabilitation after knee joint arthroscopic surgeries.
  3. To evaluate the impact of quadriceps muscle size and strength reduction on movement function and quality of life during outpatient rehabilitation, to evaluate changes in condition after outpatient rehabilitation and the previous 1 month, to compare the results obtained.
  4. To establish and compare the tolerance of different muscle stimulation methods used and possible adverse reactions after arthroscopic knee joint surgeries.

Subject of the study:

Patients undergoing outpatient rehabilitation, according to the profile of musculoskeletal injuries, 14 days.

Being tested
High-intensity Magnetic Field Muscle Stimulation, Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Keywords
arthroscopic knee surgery, quadriceps femoris atrophy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, high intensity magnetic field stimulation
Medical subject headings
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

What participants receive

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

  • High-intensity Magnetic Field Muscle StimulationDevice

    1. The procedure is performed for 20 min., 1k/d, 5k/week, a total of 14 times (rehabilitation duration 14 days).
    2. Parameters: applied parameters according to the manufacturer's specified program for muscle stimulation: "muscle strengthening" program
    3. Stimulation site: quadriceps femoris muscle, applied above the motor point approximately 60% of the distance from the upper medial border of the patella to the anterior upper wing of the iliac bone.
    4. device: BLT Super Inductive System
    • Along with muscle stimulation techniques, all subjects will undergo a standardized outpatient rehabilitation plan.
  • Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical StimulationDevice

    1. the procedure is performed for 20 min., 1k/d, 5k/week, a total of 14 times (rehab. duration 14 days).
    2. Parameters: applied parameters according to the manufacturer's specified program for muscle stimulation (EMS, P3)
    3. Stimulation site: quadriceps femoris muscle, applied above the motor point.
    4. device: ITO ES-5200
    • Along with muscle stimulation techniques, all subjects will undergo a standardized outpatient rehabilitation plan.
Study groups in NCT06870825
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
High-intensity magnetic field muscle stimulation groupExperimentalGroup will receive High-intensity magnetic field muscle stimulation group to treat quadriceps muscle atrophy
Receives: Device: High-intensity Magnetic Field Muscle Stimulation
Transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation groupActive comparatorGroup will receive a Transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation to treat quadriceps muscle atrophy
Receives: Device: Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Control groupNo interventionA Control group, that will receive a standard outpatient rehabilitation plan, without additional quadriceps muscle stimulation methodology.

What is being measured

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

  1. Thigh circumference measurement with a centimeter tape (cm)

    Measuring thigh circumference using a centimeter tape (cm) is a simple yet effective way to track changes in muscle mass, body composition, or to monitor progress. In order to obtain accurate data, the distance between the anterior angle of the iliac wing and the upper edge of the patella is measured with a centimeter tape. Mark the point: ⅓ from the edge of the patella. At the marked point, the thigh circumference is estimated with a centimeter tape, the measurement is repeated 3 times, and the average of the measurements is derived.

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

  2. Ultrasound assessment of quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area

    Ultrasound (Mindray DC-80a device) Subject position: During the study, the subject lies on his back, with the knee joints in 15° passive flexion (a cushion is used under the knee joints). During the study, the participants were instructed to relax the thigh muscles. Measurements are performed after the subject has been in a horizontal position for 5 min., to determine the distribution of body fluids [Berg et al., 1993]. Assessment methodology: in order to obtain accurate data, the distance between the greater trochanter of the femur and the upper edge of the patella is measured with a centimeter tape. A point is marked in the distal quarter (75% of the total distance). At the marked point, the ultrasound transducer is placed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the thigh on the medial surface, the edge of the quadriceps muscle VM is visualized, and from the starting point, a continuous single image is scanned with the transducer traveling transversely across the thigh along the m

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

  3. Muscle echogenicity assessed by ultrasound

    is performed using an ultrasound device (Mindray, DC-80a), in order to obtain accurate data, the distance between the greater trochanter of the femur and the upper edge of the patella is measured with a centimeter tape. A point is marked in the distal quarter (75% of the total distance). At the marked points, the ultrasound transducer is placed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the thigh. At the mentioned points, the heads of the quadriceps muscle are visualized, with clear contours, and the image is captured. The image is processed by the ImageJ program, and the visual quantitative scale (VAS echogenicity) is evaluated from 0 to 100.

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

  4. Muscle strength/power (kg), assessed with a hand-held dynamometer

    Quadriceps muscle strength will be assessed manually using a manual muscle testing device - Lafayette. Measurements are performed with the subject sitting; the back is supported, the pelvis and knees are bent at an angle of 90°. Then the subjects voluntarily perform 3 consecutive maximal voluntary extensions through the knee joint. (contraction time 3 sec., rest time 7 sec.), the highest value during the assessment was considered the maximal force.

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

  5. Knee joint pain intensity

    Pain at rest and during movement will be assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS)-a line marked with dashes and marked with 11 numbers, from 0 to 10. The subject will be asked to mark a number that indicates the intensity of the pain experienced. Pain is assessed on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain, 1, 2, 3 is mild pain, 4, 5, 6 is severe pain, 7, 8, 9 is very severe pain, and 10 is unbearable pain.

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Range of motion through the knee joint

    Active range of motion through the joints is measured with a plastic goniometer (SEAHAN® Grid, 360° per 1° 20 cm) using the neutral zero method. The minimum significant change in range of motion is 5°. The measurements will be repeated three times. After adding all the results obtained during one measurement, the arithmetic mean is calculated.

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

  2. 6-minute walk test

    The test was used to assess the level of physical fitness. Subjects were asked to walk at their usual maximum pace along a 30-meter long, level, straight hospital corridor without encouragement. The test measured the distance the patient walked in 6 minutes.

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

  3. Quality of life questionnaire

    The European Quality of Life and Health Status Questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) is a standardized quality of life and health status assessment scale developed by the international EuroQoL group. This questionnaire consists of two parts: i. a descriptive part of 5 questions, in which the subject rates his/her health status in 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, anxiety or depression, choosing from three options (no problems, some problems or moderate pain, major problems); ii. a visual analogue scale, in which the subject is asked to rate his/her health status on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 is the highest rating and 0 is the lowest.

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

  4. Tolerating of interventions

    Patients are asked to answer the following questions posed by the researcher:

    1. "Did you experience any discomfort/pain during the procedure?"
    2. "What was the intensity of the discomfort/pain during the stimulation and for the first 2-3 hours after the stimulation" (subjects were asked to rate the pain on the VAS scale)
    3. "Do you have any other comments that are important to you about the discomfort/sensations experienced during the procedure? If so, describe them"

    Measured: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted11 Mar 2025
  2. Study start1 Jan 2025
  3. Primary completion30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Aug 2027 (estimated)

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
None (open label)
Enrolment
150 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06870825
Sponsor's protocol ID
P2-BE-2-60/2024
Status last verified
Feb 2025
First submitted
24 Feb 2025
Last updated
11 Mar 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: For now, we do not have enough human and financial resources to share IPD, but if our circumstances change, we are open to reconsider this decision.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing High-intensity Magnetic Field Muscle Stimulation and Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in people with Meniscus Injury and Meniscus Tear, run by Lithuanian University of Health Sciences at 1 site in Lithuania.

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 5 inclusion and 11 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Mar 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 Lithuania. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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?

Thigh circumference measurement with a centimeter tape (cm) (time frame: Assessments are performed at the beginning, end, and 1 month after rehabilitation.). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 11 Mar 2025.

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