The Effect of Graded Motor Imagery on Pain and Function in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis

Artvin Coruh University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Limitation, Mobility; Knee Osteoarthritis

Treatments: Other: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS); Other: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI); Other: Conventional Physiotherapy Program; Other: Home Exercise Protocol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05925517

Graded Motor Imagery

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to investigate whether Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) application is as effective as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The objectives are to improve range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength, reduce pain and stiffness, increase pain pressure threshold, and enhance function and physical performance through GMI application.

Full description

46 voluntary patients with knee OA, aged between 45-64 years will be randomly divided into two groups: GMI group and TENS group. Interventions will be applied for 8 weeks, 3 times a week (24 sessions). Both groups will receive conventional physiotherapy and home exercises in addition to GMI or TENS treatment. The patients will be assessed before, after treatment and six-week follow-up. Knee pain will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold will be measured using an algometer, pain, function, and stiffness will be assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), active knee range of motion will be measured using a digital goniometer, muscle strength will be evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer, and function will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test.

Enrollment: 46 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 64 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Minimum score of 24 on the Mini Mental State Examination (indicating no mild or severe dementia)
• Diagnosis of moderate unilateral knee osteoarthritis persisting for more than 12 months according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria
• Experience of pain with a severity rating of 3 or higher on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for activities such as stair climbing, sitting, and squatting, lasting for at least 6 months (moderate to severe pain)
• Age between 45 and 64 years
• Residing in the city where the study is conducted
• Ability to walk independently
• Presence of limitations in knee range of motion (ROM)
• Symptomatic and radiographically confirmed OA diagnosis of Kellgren and Lawrence grade I-III

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are unwilling to participate in the study
• Patients presenting with secondary OA due to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, septic arthritis, tuberculosis, tumor, trauma, hemophilia, major medical or psychiatric disorders, recent fractures, presence of effusion or open reduction and internal fixation in the knee
• Presence of a neuromuscular disease
• History of intra-articular injections in the past 6 months
• Patients undergoing medication changes
• Presence of any chronic illness that would hinder participation in the treatment program
• Participation in a physiotherapy program for OA in the last 12 weeks
• Movement limitations or limb deficiency in the contralateral lower extremity
• Presence of visual or hearing problems that would affect treatment adherence.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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46 participants in 2 patient groups

Graded Motor Imagery

Experimental group

Description:

Each patient in the Graded Motor Imagery group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of Graded Motor Imagery, conventional physiotherapy, and home exercises.

Treatment:

Other: Home Exercise Protocol

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy Program

Other: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI)

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Each patient in the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, conventional physiotherapy, and home exercises.

Treatment:

Other: Home Exercise Protocol

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy Program

Other: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)