Muscle Isometric Contraction for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA)

Chengdu Sport University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)

Treatments: Other: High-intensity group; Other: Low-intensity group; Other: Medium-intensity group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06870656

2024ZYD0001 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Muscle isometric contraction

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study compares the effects of three different intensities of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC) on balance ability, proprioception, muscle strength, KOA symptoms, and inflammatory factors in synovial fluid among elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA).

Full description

A total of 120 elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) will be recruited and randomly assigned into four groups using a digital randomization method: low-intensity group (n = 30), medium-intensity group (n = 30), high-intensity group (n = 30), and control group (n = 30). The elderly individuals in the low-, medium-, and high-intensity groups will receive five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps will perform an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The low-, medium-, and high-intensity groups will perform 10, 20, and 30 repetitions per set, respectively, of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC) (guided by a rhythmic timer), completing a total of 10 sets with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention will last for 16 weeks. Researchers will follow up with participants weekly to complete exercise record forms, ensuring that all subjects maintain their original lifestyle and dietary habits. The study aims to compare the effects of three different intensities of MIC on balance ability, proprioception, muscle strength, KOA symptoms, and inflammatory factors in synovial fluid among elderly individuals with KOA.

Enrollment: 120 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 60 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 60 to 80 years;
• Based on the diagnostic criteria for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) established by the American College of Rheumatology in 2001, participants with KOA graded 1 to 3 were selected;
• Compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and signing of the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Cardiovascular diseases;
• Need for surgery or pharmacological treatment in the near future;
• Neuromuscular diseases;
• Currently engaged in regular exercise.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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120 participants in 4 patient groups

Low-intensity group

Experimental group

Description:

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 10 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Low-intensity group

Medium-intensity group

Experimental group

Description:

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 20 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Medium-intensity group

High-intensity group

Experimental group

Description:

Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 30 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: High-intensity group

Control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Health Education: All participants received standardized health guidance, which was delivered in the form of a weekly 60-minute lecture. The content of the lectures included the following: Emphasizing the importance of close cooperation with medical professionals for maintaining health. Explaining the etiology, progression, and treatment options for Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA). Discussing the positive impact of family and social support on recovery. Providing guidance on establishing healthy daily living habits, such as protecting the affected knee joints, avoiding prolonged walking, climbing, or frequent use of stairs, and correcting poor postures (e.g., prolonged standing, kneeling, and squatting). For those who are overweight, weight loss was recommended.