Motor Learning in Knee Osteoarthritis

NCT ID: NCT04445350

Last Updated: 2020-06-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-11-01
• Study Completion Date: 2022-04-30

Brief Summary

Non-surgical treatment options, like exercise therapy, show excellent short-term effects regarding pain reduction and improvement of knee function. However, mid- and long-term effects are missing so far. This might indicate that long-lasting changes in motor-skill performance (Motor Learning) have not occurred. Motor learning is associated with permanent changes in the capability for skilled movement behavior avoiding unfavorable joint loads and inappropriate muscle activation patterns, leading to compensatory movement strategies. One-sided and high repetitive loads in the knee joint could be one reason for the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Physiotherapeutic strategies should therefore be able to stimulate motor learning processes. In physiotherapy, motor learning can be optimized by using instructions and feedback, targeting an external focus of attention, when learning specific movement patterns. This study investigates the effects of a 12 week exercise therapy program, using an external focus of attention, on functional and biomechanical parameters in patients with knee osteoarthritis. To measure possible changes, functional measurements are taking place at baseline, after 6, 12 and 24 weeks. The biomechanical measurements (3D gait analysis) are taking place at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks.

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis; Lower Extremity Biomechanics; Physiotherapy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

External focus of attention training program

The intervention group receives a strength and neuromuscular training program. The training instructions have an external focus of attention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

External Focus Of Attention

Intervention Type: OTHER

Instructions and feedback are used to direct the learner's focus to an external source (e.g. the effect the intended movement has) promoting long-term learning by stimulating automatic cognitive control processes.

Internal focus of attention training program

The control group receives a strength and neuromuscular training program. The training instructions have an internal focus of attention.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Internal Focus Of Attention

Intervention Type: OTHER

In contrast, adopting an internal focus of attention (e.g. focus on specific body areal) can disrupt automatic control processes and interfere automatic movement.

Interventions

External Focus Of Attention

Instructions and feedback are used to direct the learner's focus to an external source (e.g. the effect the intended movement has) promoting long-term learning by stimulating automatic cognitive control processes.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Internal Focus Of Attention

In contrast, adopting an internal focus of attention (e.g. focus on specific body areal) can disrupt automatic control processes and interfere automatic movement.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Kellgren-Lawrence-Score 1-3
• BMI < 33
• Free range of motion in the knee joint

Exclusion Criteria

• Activated knee osteoarthritis
• Lower extremity surgery in the past 6 weeks
• Intake or injection of corticosteroids in the past 3 month
• Long-term medication non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Neurological diseases
• Drug or alcohol abuse

• Minimum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Danube University Krems

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Orthopedic Hospital Speising

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Wondrasch

FH-Professor Barbara Wondrasch, PhD

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Sankt Pölten University of Applied Sciences

Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria, Austria

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Austria

Central Contacts

Barbara Wondrasch, PhD

Role: CONTACT

barbara.wondrasch@fhstp.ac.at

+43/676/847 228 583

Facility Contacts

Nicole Unger, Dr.

Role: primary

nicole.unger@fhstp.ac.at

+43/2742/313 228 246

Birgit Bauer, Dr.

Role: backup

birgit.bauer@fhstp.ac.at

+43/2742/313 228 371

Other Identifiers

StPoltenUAS

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id