Knee Arthritis OsteoarthritisNCT07891351
Effects Of Sensor Assisted Neuro-muscular Exercise Vs Electrical Stimulation On Bio-mechnical And Functional Parameters In Grade II And III Knee Osteoarthritis.
A study testing Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise and Electrical stimulation in people with Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis and Neuromuscular Adaptations, run by Ziauddin University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This two-arm randomized controlled trial compared Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise (Group A) with Electrical Stimulation (Group B) in 40 adults aged 40-65 with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II-III knee osteoarthritis, recruited from Ziauddin Hospital and Nemat Begum Hamdard Hospital. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis, Neuromuscular Adaptations
- What is being tested?
- Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise and Electrical stimulation
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2021to 12 Feb 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
- Diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II or III
- Age 40 to 65 years
- Medically stable condition
- Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent
- Able to understand and follow instructions
- Available to attend regular treatment sessions (three times weekly for 8 weeks)
Who cannot join
- Knee surgery or knee injury within the last six months
- Other musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting the lower limb
- Uncontrolled cardiovascular or metabolic disease
- Pregnancy
- Allergy or skin sensitivity preventing electrode application
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
This two-arm randomized controlled trial compared Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise (Group A) with Electrical Stimulation (Group B) in 40 adults aged 40-65 with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II-III knee osteoarthritis, recruited from Ziauddin Hospital and Nemat Begum Hamdard Hospital. Both interventions were given three times a week for eight weeks, with outcomes assessed at baseline, week 8, and week 12 across eighteen variables covering pain, stiffness, function, range of motion, muscle activation, strength, alignment, and quality of life. Both groups improved significantly, but the neuromuscular exercise group outperformed electrical stimulation on most outcomes by week 12. Only the HKA alignment angle remained unchanged in both groups, as expected for a fixed skeletal measure. The authors conclude that neuromuscular exercise should be prioritized as a first-line conservative treatment, with electrical stimulation serving as an adjunct.
Read the detailed description
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis worldwide, imposing a substantial and growing burden on physical function and quality of life. While therapeutic exercise and electrical stimulation are both widely used conservative treatments, direct comparative evidence spanning pain, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and quality-of-life outcomes within a single trial remains limited.
Objective: This study compared the effects of Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise (Group A) and Electrical Stimulation (Group B) on pain, stiffness, physical function, range of motion, neuromuscular activation, muscular strength, mechanical alignment, and knee-related quality of life in adults with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II-III knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: A two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at Ziauddin Hospital and Nemat Begum Hamdard Hospital. Forty participants (aged 40-65 years) were randomized 1:1 to Group A or Group B (n = 20 each) using a computer-generated sequence with allocation concealment. Both interventions were delivered three times weekly for eight weeks, with outcomes assessed at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1, week 8), and follow-up (T2, week 12) across eighteen variables, including the Numeric Rating Scale, WOMAC, KOOS, surface electromyography, dynamometry, goniometry, and Hip-Knee-Ankle (HKA) radiographic alignment. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA/Friedman tests (within-group) and independent-samples t-tests/Mann-Whitney U tests (between-group).
- Being tested
- Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise, Electrical stimulation
- Keywords
- Knee osteoarthritis, neuromuscular exercise, electrical stimulation, randomized controlled trial
- Medical subject headings
- Osteoarthritis, Knee
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular ExerciseOther
Sensory-assisted neuromuscular exercise, three sessions per week for 8 weeks.
Electrical stimulationOther
Electrical stimulation, three sessions per week for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise | Experimental | Sensory-assisted neuromuscular exercise, three sessions per week for 8 weeks. Receives: Other: Electrical stimulation |
| Electrical Stimulation | Active comparator | Electrical stimulation, three sessions per week for 8 weeks. Receives: Other: Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Knee Joint Alignment Measured by Hip-Knee-Ankle (HKA) Angle on Full-Leg Standing Radiograph
Frontal-plane mechanical alignment of the affected knee, measured on a full-length standing radiograph. The HKA angle is the angle between the femoral mechanical axis (centre of femoral head to centre of knee) and the tibial mechanical axis (centre of knee to centre of ankle). It is reported in degrees of deviation from neutral (0° = neutral alignment). Higher values indicate greater malalignment.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Secondary outcomes (9)
Knee Pain Intensity Measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Knee pain intensity measured on the 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Lower scores indicate less pain.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
WOMAC Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Total Scores
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, assessing pain (0-20), stiffness (0-8), and physical function (0-68), with a total score of 0-96. Higher scores indicate worse symptoms and function.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 1
Knee Flexion Range of Motion Measured by Digital Goniometer
Active knee flexion range of motion of the affected knee, measured in degrees with a digital goniometer by a blinded physiotherapist. Higher values indicate better mobility.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Knee Extension Deficit Measured by Digital Goniometer
Loss of full knee extension of the affected knee, measured in degrees with a digital goniometer by a blinded physiotherapist (0° = full extension). Lower values indicate a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Vastus Medialis Muscle Activation Measured by Surface Electromyography (sEMG)
Muscle activation of the vastus medialis, recorded with surface EMG during a standardized contraction. Reported as amplitude in [µV / %MVIC]. Higher values indicate greater activation.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Vastus Lateralis Muscle Activation Activation Measured by Surface Electromyography (sEMG)
Muscle activation of the vastus lateralis, recorded with surface EMG during a standardized contraction. Reported as amplitude in [µV / %MVIC]. Higher values indicate greater activation
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Hamstring Muscle Strength Measured by Hand-Held Dynamometer
Maximal isometric knee flexor strength of the affected limb, measured with a hand-held dynamometer, in [N / kg]. Higher values indicate greater strength.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Quadriceps Muscle Strength Measured by Hand-Held Dynamometer
Maximal isometric knee extensor strength of the affected limb, measured with a hand-held dynamometer, in [N / kg]. Higher values indicate greater strength
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)
KOOS subscales of Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living, Sport/Recreation, and Knee-Related Quality of Life, each scored 0-100. Higher scores indicate fewer problems and better quality of life.
Measured: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Oct 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2021
- Primary completion12 Jan 2026
- Study completion12 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Knee Arthritis OsteoarthritisStudies 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
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ziauddin University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ammanullah khan, Ziauddin University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07891351
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 11200925AKPT
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 23 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 23 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects Of Sensor Assisted Neuro-muscular Exercise Vs Electrical Stimulation On Bio-mechnical And Functional Parameters In Grade II And III Knee Osteoarthritis.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07891351
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 11200925AKPT
- Keywords
- Knee osteoarthritis, neuromuscular exercise, electrical stimulation, randomized controlled trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ziauddin UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 12 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 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.
This two-arm randomized controlled trial compared Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise (Group A) with Electrical Stimulation (Group B) in 40 adults aged 40-65 with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II-III knee osteoarthritis, recruited from Ziauddin Hospital and Nemat Begum Hamdard Hospital. Both interventions were given three times a week for eight weeks, with outcomes assessed at baseline, week 8, and week 12 across eighteen variables covering pain, stiffness, function, range of motion, muscle activation, strength, alignment, and quality of life. Both groups improved significantly, but the neuromuscular exercise group outperformed electrical stimulation on most outcomes by week 12. Only the HKA alignment angle remained unchanged in both groups, as expected for a fixed skeletal measure. The authors conclude that neuromuscular exercise should be prioritized as a first-line conservative treatment, with electrical stimulation serving as an adjunct.
Detailed description
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis worldwide, imposing a substantial and growing burden on physical function and quality of life. While therapeutic exercise and electrical stimulation are both widely used conservative treatments, direct comparative evidence spanning pain, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and quality-of-life outcomes within a single trial remains limited.
Objective: This study compared the effects of Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise (Group A) and Electrical Stimulation (Group B) on pain, stiffness, physical function, range of motion, neuromuscular activation, muscular strength, mechanical alignment, and knee-related quality of life in adults with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II-III knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: A two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at Ziauddin Hospital and Nemat Begum Hamdard Hospital. Forty participants (aged 40-65 years) were randomized 1:1 to Group A or Group B (n = 20 each) using a computer-generated sequence with allocation concealment. Both interventions were delivered three times weekly for eight weeks, with outcomes assessed at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1, week 8), and follow-up (T2, week 12) across eighteen variables, including the Numeric Rating Scale, WOMAC, KOOS, surface electromyography, dynamometry, goniometry, and Hip-Knee-Ankle (HKA) radiographic alignment. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA/Friedman tests (within-group) and independent-samples t-tests/Mann-Whitney U tests (between-group).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise | Experimental | Other: Electrical stimulationSensory-assisted neuromuscular exercise, three sessions per week for 8 weeks. |
| Electrical Stimulation | Active comparator | Other: Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular ExerciseElectrical stimulation, three sessions per week for 8 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II or III
- Age 40 to 65 years
- Medically stable condition
- Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent
- Able to understand and follow instructions
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Knee surgery or knee injury within the last six months
- Other musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting the lower limb
- Uncontrolled cardiovascular or metabolic disease
- Pregnancy
- Allergy or skin sensitivity preventing electrode application
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular ExerciseSensory-assisted neuromuscular exercise, three sessions per week for 8 weeks. | Other | Electrical Stimulation |
| Electrical stimulationElectrical stimulation, three sessions per week for 8 weeks. | Other | Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise |
Primary outcome
Knee Joint Alignment Measured by Hip-Knee-Ankle (HKA) Angle on Full-Leg Standing Radiograph
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Frontal-plane mechanical alignment of the affected knee, measured on a full-length standing radiograph. The HKA angle is the angle between the femoral mechanical axis (centre of femoral head to centre of knee) and the tibial mechanical axis (centre of knee to centre of ankle). It is reported in degrees of deviation from neutral (0° = neutral alignment). Higher values indicate greater malalignment.
9 secondary outcomes
Knee Pain Intensity Measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
WOMAC Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Total Scores
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 1
Knee Flexion Range of Motion Measured by Digital Goniometer
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Knee Extension Deficit Measured by Digital Goniometer
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Vastus Medialis Muscle Activation Measured by Surface Electromyography (sEMG)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Vastus Lateralis Muscle Activation Activation Measured by Surface Electromyography (sEMG)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Hamstring Muscle Strength Measured by Hand-Held Dynamometer
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Quadriceps Muscle Strength Measured by Hand-Held Dynamometer
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12
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 23 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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Sensory-Assisted Neuromuscular Exercise and Electrical stimulation in people with Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis and Neuromuscular Adaptations, run by Ziauddin 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 6 inclusion and 5 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 23 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?
Knee Joint Alignment Measured by Hip-Knee-Ankle (HKA) Angle on Full-Leg Standing Radiograph (time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and Week 12). 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 23 Oct 2026.