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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06766877

Effect of Core Stability Versus Ankle Foot Strengthening Exercise in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disease causing pain, stiffness, and reduced quality of life. While treatments often focus on drugs or surgery, noninvasive exercises like core stabilization and ankle/foot strengthening show potential but lack comparative studies. Understanding anatomical factors like Achilles tendon (AT) thickness is crucial for targeted rehabilitation, though measurement reliability remains an issue. This study aims to compare the effects of these exercises on KOA symptoms and evaluate the use of digital calipers for AT thickness measurement, aiming to enhance clinical management of KOA.

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Key information

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis Arthritis Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis, Knee Rheumatic Diseases

Age range

40 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

BIPTRM

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

About this study

The objective of the study is:

  • To determine the interrater and intrarater reliability of digital calliper to measure the side to side Achilles tendon thickness.
  • To determine the impact of 24 sessions of core stability translated in gait ambulation.
  • determines the relationships between Achilles tendon thickness (ATT), knee symptoms/functions, and foot alignment in knee OA patients, considering their interconnected biomechanical nature.
  • compare the effects of core stability and ankle-foot strengthening exercises on clinical outcomes in KOA patients

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 40 years old, had been diagnosed with KOA based on ACR, and
  • having Grade II or III osteoarthritis by K/L criteria.

Exclusion criteria

  • post-traumatic osteoarthritis
  • lower limb sensorimotor dysfunction,
  • Any history of knee fracture/ tumor/ infection and hip/knee surgery.
  • Total Knee Replacement patients.
  • Neurological disease.
  • Patient received physical therapy treatment from last 6 months.
  • Inflammatory Arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis)
  • Use of any intra-articular injections (steroid/ hyaluronic acid/ PRP.) from last 3-6 months.

Treatment and study plan

Core stability exercise

Other
  • Isometric quadriceps exercises involving knee extension
  • Maximum isometric exercise for the quadriceps

foot-ankle strengthening exercise

Other
  • Isometric quadriceps exercises involving knee extension
  • Maximum isometric exercise for the quadriceps

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Changes from baseline, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is the most commonly used scale in which the pain rate ranges from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain). The level of knee perception of pain is assessed by using the VAS.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) is a 42-item, patient self-administered patient outcome measure designed to measure knee health in five subscales (Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Sport and Recreation and knee-related Quality of Life).

  2. 40-m fast-paced walk test

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    This test was conducted as per the guideline of OARSI. The 40-meter Fast-Paced Walk Test (40m FPWT) is a brief physical performance test primarily used to measure maximum short-distance walking speed and the ability to change directions.

  3. 30 seconds chair stand test

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The 30-Second Chair Stand Test (or 30CST) is a quick physical test used to measure lower-body strength and endurance in adults, especially older individuals.

  4. stair climb test

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Step Stair Climb Test (SCT) is a physical performance test used to evaluate functional strength, balance, and agility in individuals with mobility limitations.

  5. Navicular/foot ratio

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    It is calculated as the quotient of the height of the navicular tuberosity divided by the total length of the foot.

  6. Achilles tendon thickness (ATT)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    measured side to side thickness using the digital calliper

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dow University of Health Sciences

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 9, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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