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NCT Number: NCT07749547

Using Personalized Rehabilitation to Reduce Disease and Increase Activity of Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes joint pain and stiffness, making it hard for people to do everyday tasks. Movement pattern training is a special, personalized rehabilitation program that aims to reduce pain by improving how people move during their daily activities. The investigators plan to test if it's possible to conduct a detailed study to find out how effective Movement pattern training is for people with PMR. The investigators will look at whether it helps them perform activities they want to do, reduce their use of certain medications, and strengthen their muscles. The investigators will also gather feedback from patients about their experience with Movement pattern training. This study will help us understand if carrying out a larger study on Movement pattern training's effectiveness is practical.

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Key information

Conditions

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Connective Tissue Diseases Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Polymyalgia Rheumatica Rheumatic Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patient reports a diagnosis or flare of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) < 5 months before the screening contact
  • Diagnosis or flare of PMR according to the European League against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria as follows (must satisfy all criteria)10:
  • Age ≥50 years at time of diagnosis
  • Presence of bilateral shoulder pain
  • Elevated acute phase reactants C-reactive protein (CRP) >10 milligram/Liter and/or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) >30 millimeters/hour*
  • A score ≥4 at the time of diagnosis based on the following (without ultrasound):
  • Duration of morning stiffness >45 minutes: 2 points
  • Hip pain or limited range of motion: 1 point
  • Seronegative for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide: 2 points
  • Absence of other joint involvement: 1 point
  • Initiated pharmacological treatment
  • Able to give informed consent
  • Physician's clearance to participate in physical activity

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of fibromyalgia, neuropathic muscular disease, complex regional pain syndrome, or small fiber neuropathy
  • planned major surgical procedure during the study
  • Current active uncontrolled infection

Treatment and study plan

Movement Pattern Training (MoveTrain)

Behavioral

6 individualized treatment sessions over 10 weeks

  • Motivational interviewing to determine personal goals and strengthen motivation and commitment to change
  • Activity-specific training to practice modified motion during patient-specific tasks, defined as activities reported by each patient as pain-provoking
  • Home exercise program 3 times/week consisting of activities or exercises assigned in the supervised sessions
  • Patient's independence and adherence in performing home exercise program will be documented
  • Patients are encouraged to use modified motion during daily and physical activities
  • Based on patient performance, activity difficulty is progressed by increasing repetitions performed or increasing load or speed

Usual Care

Other
  • Basic education about polymyalgia rheumatica, benefits of physical activity
  • Patients will be encouraged to participate in physical activity as tolerated
  • Medication as prescribed by their physician

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of potential participants accessed.

    Time frame: 7 months

    The total number of people with Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who were recruited each week

  2. Percent of eligible participants who were willing to be randomized

    Time frame: 7 months

    Percent of eligible participants are willing to be randomized during the study

Secondary outcomes

  1. Preliminary estimates of change in polymyalgia rheumatica impact scale (PMR-IS)

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 10 weeks

    The change in polymyalgia rheumatica impact scale (PMR-IS), a self-report questionnaire specific to polymyalgia rheumatica, that represents the patients symptoms and functional ability.

  2. Preliminary estimates of change in physical activity

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 10 weeks

    The change in physical activity as represented by the Stanford 7-DAy Physical Activity Recall survey

  3. Preliminary estimates of change in cumulative glucocorticoid dose

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 10 weeks

    Change in cumulative glucocorticoid dose assessed by patient's self-report logs

  4. Preliminary estimates of change in muscle strength

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 10 weeks

    change in muscle strength of the hips and shoulders, assessed using a hand dynamometer

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Marcie Harris-Hayes, DPT, MSCI

CONTACT

[email protected]

314-286-1435

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Washington University School of Medicine

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Using Personalized Rehabilitation to Reduce Disease and Increase Activity of Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica: a Feasibility Randomized Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 6, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 6, 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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