Who is eligible for clinical trial NCT05844124?

Participants must meet protocol criteria for Osteoarthritis. Confirm exact inclusion and exclusion requirements with the study coordinator.

Does clinical trial NCT05844124 provide travel or cost reimbursement?

Check with the site coordinator at the participating facility for travel and lodging stipend availability, and for which routine-care costs are covered.

🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2025-06-25

Impact of Different Exercise Programs on Knee OA (NCT05844124)

🔵 Active, Not Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic 📋 Clinical Research Protocol Sponsor: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

This study will examine and compare the changes in serum biomarkers, joint kinematics, and thigh muscle strength based on three different 8-week exercise protocols in individuals with knee pathology: Lower-body positive-pressure (LBPP) supported low-load treadmill walking and Aquatic exercise program and standard of care treadmill or community walking. Investigators hypothesize that both the 8-week exercise programs which aim to partially off-load the knee joint will be associated with a significant reduction in serum biological markers of joint disease (tissue turnover, cartilage degradation and inflammation) in response to the exercise. The serum biological markers will be directly correlated to participant reported knee pain. Both the LBPP-supported low-load and the aquatic exercise regimens will result in significant increases in thigh muscle strength about the degenerative knee which in-turn will result in diminished knee pain and enhanced joint function. Investigators aim to compare these two exercise programs to understand if benefits of one far exceeds the other as compared to standard of care treadmill or community walking.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (8 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).

Location: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — Chicago, Illinois

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Age ≥ 50 years
Diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral knee osteoarthritis
Clinical AND/OR radiographic knee osteoarthritis.
Clinical radiographic knee osteoarthritis: Symptoms of 2 or more knee pain, morning stiffness in the joint, crepitus on active movement, tenderness of the joint, bony enlargement of the joint, and lack of palpable warmth of the synovium
Radiographic knee osteoarthritis: Kellgren-Lawrence score of 2 or greater using radiographs of the involved knee
If the participant has had diagnostic radiographs within the previous 2 years at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, we will use these previous radiographs to confirm diagnosis (these participants will complete a HIPAA authorization form so that we can access these images).
If the participant has not had a diagnostic radiograph within the previous 2 years, the participant will complete a bilateral standing anteroposterior radiograph for the purpose of this study. These images are consistent with clinical care for diagnostic OA and minimally expose the individual to radiation (see attached form from radiology technician). All images taken as part of the study will be stored using the assigned study identifier, and therefore will not require any HIPAA authorization.
Ability to walk without the use of aids (e.g., cane, walker)

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

Exclusion Criteria:
Age \< 50 years
History of lower extremity total joint arthroplasty
Current cardiovascular disease or hypertension that is uncontrolled
History of neurological disorder that effects lower extremity function (i.e., stroke, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease)
Current ankle or hip pain
Currently pregnant for female participants
Weight over 400 lbs (181.4 kg), height less than 4'8" (142 cm) or over 6'4" (193 cm), 18.5" (47 cm) hip width, or 58" (147 cm) hip circumference

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — Chicago, Illinois

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗