Knee OsteoarthristisNCT07872280
Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol on Pain, Range and Function in KOA
A study testing Standard physical therapy and Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol in people with Knee Osteoarthristis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
An individual can suffer from knee osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition, and while standard physical therapy can assist in some way, improved joint mechanics and decreased functional limitations can be achieved through the use of specialized methods, such as the advanced protocols of Neuromuscular… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Knee Osteoarthristis
- What is being tested?
- Standard physical therapy and Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 2 Jan 2026to 20 Apr 2026
- 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 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 40 to 60 years old, men and women, with knee osteoarthritis was included.
- Clinical diagnosis and confirmed by radiography.
- Individuals diagnosed with Osteoarthritis knee by certified Orthopaedic surgeon.
- Individuals having knee pain from last 3 months.
- NPRS value of pain must be 3 to 7 during walk.
- Individuals not involved in any other physical therapy treatment modalities during the protocol period including their follow up period.
- Patient has knee flexion range of motion (ROM) of at least 90°.
- Patients agree to sign written consent form.
Who cannot join
- Age less than 40 and more than 60 years.
- Any other knee joint pathologies, for example, Chondromalacia patella, plica syndrome are excluded.
- Neurological issues.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol on Pain, Range of Motion, and Disability in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
An individual can suffer from knee osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition, and while standard physical therapy can assist in some way, improved joint mechanics and decreased functional limitations can be achieved through the use of specialized methods, such as the advanced protocols of Neuromuscular Facilitation. Objective of this study is to use Neuromuscular Facilitation, a technique to investigate in terms of its effect in comparison to standard Physical therapy on the levels of pain, the range and range of motion at the joint, and the overall physical disability associated with knee osteoarthritis. An experiment that involved a randomized group of 54 subjects who were aged between 40 and 80 with Grade 2 or 3 knee osteoarthritis was conducted. Recruitment of subjects was done by way of non-probability convenience sampling at United Hospital in Faisalabad. Subjects were randomly placed in 2 groups: PNF-based neuromuscular facilitation group (Group A) received bridging, side decubits, sural triceps, sitting and standing from chair, lateral walk, going up and down stairs, squating and group B received standard Physical therapy which included cryotherapy and isometric Quadriceps strengthening and Isometric Hip adductor strengthening exercise. The outcomes were assessed using Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Goniometry for range of motion, and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.
- Conditions
- Knee Osteoarthristis
- Being tested
- Standard physical therapy, Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol
- Keywords
- knee osteoarthritis, Neuromuscular Facilitation, Range of Motion, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, WOMAC index
- Medical subject headings
- Osteoarthritis, Knee
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Standard physical therapyOther
Standard physical therapy include Cryotherapy. That was placed on the anterior side of knee joint for 10 mintues, Isometric Quadriceps Strengthening Exercises, and Isometric Hip Adductor Strengthening Exercises. Both for Two sets of 10 repetitions.
Neuromuscular Facilitation ProtocolOther
Patients received Neuromuscular Facilitation Rehabilitation that works on PNF principal and help in strengthening of lower limbs with the help of exercise. It included bridging exercise , side Decubitus, sural triceps, sitting and standing from chair. lateral walk, going up and down stairs, squatting. All these exercises have sessions two through four that worked on combination of isotonic methods. In fiirst and second weeks two sets of three repeats, in weeks three and four two sets of four repetitions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Physical therapy | Active comparator | Standard Physical therapy included Cryotherapy ,Isometric Quadriceps Strengthening Exercise, and Isometric Hip Adductor Strengthening Exercise. Receives: Other: Standard physical therapy |
| Neuromuscular Fcilitation Protocol | Experimental | Neuromuscular Facilitation Rehabilitation that works on PNF principal and help in strengthening of lower limbs with the help of exercise Which include bridge, side Decubitus, sural triceps, sitting and standing from chair, lateral walk, going up and down stairs and squatting. Receives: Other: Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
WOMAC index for disability
Originally validated by Dr. Nicholas Bellamy in 1988, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) is a disease-specific, to assess the effectiveness of treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The test comprises 24 unique items that are separated into three separate functional subscales: a 17-item Physical Function domain that measures limitations during activities of daily living (ADLs), a 2-item Stiffness domain that evaluates joint restriction during waking or rest, and a 5-item Pain domain that measures mechanical discomfort during essential activities like walking or stair negotiation. The standard 5-point Likert version rates each item from 0 (None) to 4 (Extreme). This results in cumulative subscale limits of 0-20 for pain, 0-8 for stiffness, and 0-68 for physical function, which add up to a global composite score that ranges from 0 to 96, with higher values denoting more severe structural and functional degeneration.
Measured: 4th day
Secondary outcomes (2)
NPRS for pain score
The NPRS is a frequently used tool for evaluating the severity of pain at a particular moment, by asking individuals to rate their discomfort on a scale value from 0 to 10, in which 0 indicates "there is no pain" and 10 indicating "very painful". In many clinical practices, the NPRS is routinely used during outpatient visits, and these scores are documented in the patient's electronic health record (EHR) to enable ongoing monitoring of pain intensity by both clinicians and researchers.
Measured: 4th weeks
Universal Goniometer (UG) for ROM
ROM is an important parameter for evaluation of movement limitations. While clinicians researchers use universal goniometers to measure ROM, the accuracy of the method depends on the clinician's skill and experience. The normal Knee Flexion range of motion is Stairs, chairs, and slopes that need less than 90 degrees of knee flexion 90-120 degrees and roughly 135 degrees of knee flexion in a bath
Measured: 4th Weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Oct 2026
- Study start2 Jan 2026
- Primary completion4 Mar 2026
- Study completion20 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Knee OsteoarthristisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Danish Hassan, PhD, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07872280
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0172
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol on Pain, Range of Motion, and Disability in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07872280
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0172
- Conditions
- Knee Osteoarthristis
- Keywords
- knee osteoarthritis, Neuromuscular Facilitation, Range of Motion, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, WOMAC index
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 4 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
An individual can suffer from knee osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition, and while standard physical therapy can assist in some way, improved joint mechanics and decreased functional limitations can be achieved through the use of specialized methods, such as the advanced protocols of Neuromuscular Facilitation. Objective of this study is to use Neuromuscular Facilitation, a technique to investigate in terms of its effect in comparison to standard Physical therapy on the levels of pain, the range and range of motion at the joint, and the overall physical disability associated with knee osteoarthritis. An experiment that involved a randomized group of 54 subjects who were aged between 40 and 80 with Grade 2 or 3 knee osteoarthritis was conducted. Recruitment of subjects was done by way of non-probability convenience sampling at United Hospital in Faisalabad. Subjects were randomly placed in 2 groups: PNF-based neuromuscular facilitation group (Group A) received bridging, side decubits, sural triceps, sitting and standing from chair, lateral walk, going up and down stairs, squating and group B received standard Physical therapy which included cryotherapy and isometric Quadriceps strengthening and Isometric Hip adductor strengthening exercise. The outcomes were assessed using Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Goniometry for range of motion, and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Physical therapy | Active comparator | Other: Standard physical therapyStandard Physical therapy included Cryotherapy ,Isometric Quadriceps Strengthening Exercise, and Isometric Hip Adductor Strengthening Exercise. |
| Neuromuscular Fcilitation Protocol | Experimental | Other: Neuromuscular Facilitation ProtocolNeuromuscular Facilitation Rehabilitation that works on PNF principal and help in strengthening of lower limbs with the help of exercise Which include bridge, side Decubitus, sural triceps, sitting and standing from chair, lateral walk, going up and down stairs and squatting. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- 40 to 60 years old, men and women, with knee osteoarthritis was included.
- Clinical diagnosis and confirmed by radiography.
- Individuals diagnosed with Osteoarthritis knee by certified Orthopaedic surgeon.
- Individuals having knee pain from last 3 months.
- NPRS value of pain must be 3 to 7 during walk.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Age less than 40 and more than 60 years.
- Any other knee joint pathologies, for example, Chondromalacia patella, plica syndrome are excluded.
- Neurological issues.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Standard physical therapyStandard physical therapy include Cryotherapy. That was placed on the anterior side of knee joint for 10 mintues, Isometric Quadriceps Strengthening Exercises, and Isometric Hip Adductor Strengthening Exercises. Both for Two sets of 10 repetitions. | Other | Standard Physical therapy |
| Neuromuscular Facilitation ProtocolPatients received Neuromuscular Facilitation Rehabilitation that works on PNF principal and help in strengthening of lower limbs with the help of exercise. It included bridging exercise , side Decubitus, sural triceps, sitting and standing from chair. lateral walk, going up and down stairs, squatting. All these exercises have sessions two through four that worked on combination of isotonic methods. In fiirst and second weeks two sets of three repeats, in weeks three and four two sets of four repetitions. | Other | Neuromuscular Fcilitation Protocol |
Primary outcome
WOMAC index for disability
Time frame: 4th day
Originally validated by Dr. Nicholas Bellamy in 1988, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) is a disease-specific, to assess the effectiveness of treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The test comprises 24 unique items that are separated into three separate functional subscales: a 17-item Physical Function domain that measures limitations during activities of daily living (ADLs), a 2-item Stiffness domain that evaluates joint restriction during waking or rest, and a 5-item Pain domain that measures mechanical discomfort during essential activities like walking or stair negotiation. The standard 5-point Likert version rates each item from 0 (None) to 4 (Extreme). This results in cumulative subscale limits of 0-20 for pain, 0-8 for stiffness, and 0-68 for physical function, which add up to a global composite score that ranges from 0 to 96, with higher values denoting more severe structural and functional degeneration.
2 secondary outcomes
NPRS for pain score
Time frame: 4th weeks
Universal Goniometer (UG) for ROM
Time frame: 4th Weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Danish Hassan, PhD principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Standard physical therapy and Neuromuscular Facilitation Protocol in people with Knee Osteoarthristis, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 8 inclusion and 3 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 13 Oct 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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?
WOMAC index for disability (time frame: 4th day). 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 13 Oct 2026.