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NCT Number: NCT05387473

Added Value of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia in Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the leading and fastest increasing cause of disability in older adults. It is a serious health issue related with a high health care utilisation. The first-line KOA management is nonsurgical care, with education and exercise therapy as key elements. Nevertheless, treatment effects of exercise therapy and behavioral pain management on improvements in pain, function and quality of life are small to moderate at best. This shows that there is an urgent need for better KOA care. The innovative solution may lie in thinking beyond joints, by targeting KOA subgroups through comorbidity-specific interventions, which fits well in the global move towards precision medicine. With a prevalence rate up to 50%, the presence of insomnia symptoms is a highly prevalent KOA comorbidity, contributing to symptom severity. If left untreated, it represents a barrier for effective conservative management. Since insomnia is nowadays hardly addressed in the often joint-targeted KOA care, the scientific objectives of the study are to assess 1) if cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) integrated in best-evidence usual care, consisting of education and exercise therapy, (CBTi-UC) is more effective than best-evidence usual care alone (UC), i.e. education and exercise therapy, at 6 months follow-up in improving clinical outcomes and 2) if CBTi-UC is more cost-effective than UC in KOA patients with comorbid insomnia.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Osteoarthritis, Knee Arthritis Dyssomnias Insomnia Joint Diseases Mental Disorders Musculoskeletal Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Osteoarthritis Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Rheumatic Diseases Signs and Symptoms Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

45 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department Rehabilitation Science

Leuven, 3000, Belgium

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

45 years old or older

Being a fluent Dutch speaker

Commits to study requirements

Knee Osteoarthritis classified using the American college of Rheumatology criteria (Knee pain + 3/6 for diagnosis):

  • age>50
  • morning stiffness <30 minutes
  • crepitus
  • bony tenderness
  • bony enlargement
  • no palpable warmth

Insomnia diagnosis using the DSM-5 criteria:

  • No shiftwork
  • No severe untreated sleep disorders
  • For at least >3 days / week for >3 months: >30 minutes sleep latency and/or >30 minutes awake after sleep onset and/or early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep AND associated daytime symptoms

Knee pain nominated by the patient as 3 or higher on a visual analogue scale on most days of the last 3 months

Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Treatment with supervised exercise therapy or joint infiltrations (e.g., corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid) or CBT-I in the preceding six months

Change in any psychiatric or psychological treatment the last 3m or planned during the study period

Concurrent intense psychological treatment (weekly basis)

BMI >30

Mini-Mental state examination score of 23 or lower

Being on the waiting list for a knee replacement or having received knee replacement on symptomatic side

Any contra-indication for exercise therapy

Existing diagnose that has impact on sleep and patients are therefore unlikely to respond to CBT-I: any rheumatological condition (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome); any neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), dementia or receiving cholinesterase inhibitors; cancer diagnosis in the past year and receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the past year; Long-COVID or inpatient treatment for congestive heart failure within the prior six months.

Having severe underlying sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea over AHI >15, periodic leg movement disorder, restless leg syndrome, sleep-wake cycle disturbance, rapid eye movement behavior disorder)

Being pregnant or given birth in the preceding year

Having an external/ physical factor that limits the opportunity to sleep (E.g. newborn)

Treatment and study plan

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) integrated in best-evidence usual care (CBTi-UC)

Behavioral

In the first two weeks, the participants will receive three sessions of education and advice based on current best-practice guidelines. In the following three weeks, the participants will be provided with once weekly exercise therapy and once weekly CBT-I. This is then spread out more over the next five weeks in which participants will receive once weekly sessions of either CBT-I or exercise therapy in alternating order. In the last four weeks of the intervention period, the participants will receive once weekly exercise therapy.

Best-evidence usual care (UC) plus information sessions

Behavioral

In the first two weeks, the participants will receive three sessions of education and advice based on current best-practice guidelines. In the following three weeks, the participants will be provided with once weekly exercise therapy and once weekly general information sessions (general education sessions in line with recommendations from best-practice guidelines and recent evidence). This is then spread out more over the next five weeks in which participants will receive once weekly sessions of either CBT-I or exercise therapy in alternating order. In the last four weeks of the intervention period, the participants will receive once weekly exercise therapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain subscale Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score

    Time frame: 6 months after the end of therapy

    The pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) will be used as primary outcome to assess change in pain. The KOOS shows adequate content validity, internal consistency, reliability, content validity and responsiveness for age and condition relevant subscales.

    The pain scale consists of 9 items. A Likert scale is used and all items have five possible answer options scored from 0 (No Problems) to 4 (Extreme Problems). The total score ranges from 0 to 36.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain subscale Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) will be used as primary outcome to assess change in pain. The KOOS shows adequate content validity, internal consistency, reliability, content validity and responsiveness for age and condition relevant subscales.

    The pain scale consists of 9 items. A Likert scale is used and all items have five possible answer options scored from 0 (No Problems) to 4 (Extreme Problems). The total score ranges from 0 to 36.

  2. Change in impact of pain on functioning

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) evaluates the impact of pain on functioning. The BPI measures how much pain interferes with seven daily activities, including general activity, walking, work, mood, enjoyment of life, relations with others, and sleep on an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (ranging from 0-10).

  3. Change in self-reported central sensitization symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Central Sensitization Inventory investigates self-reported central sensitization symptoms. Score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more self-reported symptoms of central sensitization.

  4. Change in sleep quality

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index investigates self-reported perceived sleep quality. Score ranges from 0 to 21, 0 indicating no difficulty and 21 indicating severe sleep difficulties.

  5. Change in Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep questionnaire investigates self-reported dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep. Score ranges from 0 to 10. Scores above 4 indicate unrealistic expectations for sleep or unrealistic thoughts about sleep.

  6. Change in sleep propensity

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Epworth Sleepiness Scale investigates self-reported sleep propensity. Score ranges from 0 to 24, with 0 indicating normal daytime sleepiness and 24 indicating severe excessive daytime sleepiness.

  7. Change in pain-related fear of movement

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia - 17 item version investigates pain-related fear of movement and (re)injury. Each item is scored on a 4-point Likert Scale, ranging from one ("strongly disagree") to four ("strongly agree"). The total score ranges between 17 and 68, with higher values reflecting greater fear of movement

  8. Change in physical function

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    Change in physical function is assessed with the function in daily living subscale of the Knee injury. and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score

  9. Global assessment

    Time frame: After 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The patient global assessment is a recommended question in clinical trials of rehabilitation interventions for OA and it measures the improvement or deterioration of their condition since baseline, and therefore since the intervention has started. It will be assessed by patients on a 7-point Likert scale (very much improved, much improved, slightly improved, not changed, slightly worsened, much worsened, and vastly worsened).

  10. Change in physical activity and sleep behaviour

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    Using Fitbit Sense, physical activity measures such as the number of steps as well as sleep parameters will be retrieved with custom-made algorithms to quantify daily movement/sleep behaviours

  11. Change in physical activity and sleep behaviour during intervention

    Time frame: after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14

    Using Fitbit Sense, physical activity measures such as the number of steps as well as sleep parameters will be retrieved with custom-made algorithms to quantify daily movement/sleep behaviours

  12. Change in pain intensity

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Numeric Rating Scale for pain assesses the intensity of pain. It is an 11-point scale that requires the patient to select a number ranging from zero ("no pain") to ten ("worst possible pain"). The average and worst pain intensity in last week is questioned.

  13. Change in pain intensity during intervention

    Time frame: Bafter intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14

    The Numeric Rating Scale for pain assesses the intensity of pain. It is an 11-point scale that requires the patient to select a number ranging from zero ("no pain") to ten ("worst possible pain"). The average and worst pain intensity in last week is questioned.

  14. Change in insomnia Severity

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Insomnia Severity Index investigates self-reported insomnia severity. Score ranges from 0 to 28, with 0 indicating no clinically significant insomnia and 28 indicating severe clinical insomnia.

  15. Change in insomnia Severity during intervention

    Time frame: after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14

    The Insomnia Severity Index investigates self-reported insomnia severity. Score ranges from 0 to 28, with 0 indicating no clinically significant insomnia and 28 indicating severe clinical insomnia.

  16. Change in fatigue severity

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Brugmann Fatigue Scale investigates self-reported fatigue severity. Score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating higher subjective levels of fatigue.

  17. Change in fatigue severity during intervention

    Time frame: after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14

    The Brugmann Fatigue Scale investigates self-reported fatigue severity. Score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating higher subjective levels of fatigue.

  18. Change in pain catastrophizing

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Pain Catastrophizing Scale assesses negative thoughts and feelings when experiencing pain. Each item is scored from zero ("not at all") to four ("all the time"). Its total score ranges between 0 and 52, with a higher total score indicating higher levels of pain catastrophizing.

  19. Change in pain catastrophizing during intervention

    Time frame: after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14

    The Pain Catastrophizing Scale assesses negative thoughts and feelings when experiencing pain. Each item is scored from zero ("not at all") to four ("all the time"). Its total score ranges between 0 and 52, with a higher total score indicating higher levels of pain catastrophizing.

  20. Change in anxiety and Depression

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapyand 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Hospital Anxiety and Depression rating scale investigates self-reported affective symptoms. Score ranges from 0 to 21, with 0 indicating absence of depression or anxiety and 21 indicating the presence of depression or anxiety.

  21. Change in anxiety and depression during intervention

    Time frame: after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14

    The Hospital Anxiety and Depression rating scale investigates self-reported affective symptoms. Score ranges from 0 to 21, with 0 indicating absence of depression or anxiety and 21 indicating the presence of depression or anxiety.

  22. Change in Pressure Pain Thresholds

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy

    Pressure Pain Thresholds are measured with a digital pressure algometer (Wagner Instruments), both at symptomatic level (knee) and at remote sites (i.e. secondary hyperalgesia).

  23. Change in objective sleep assessed with polysomnography (PSG)

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention)

    Participants will be monitored in the comfort of their own home by ambulatory PSG, one night at echt timepoint. PSG will provide sleep related outcomes (time in bed, total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake duration after sleep onset, early morning awakening, sleep staging N1, N2, N3, REM in durations and % of total sleep time, sleep efficiency, respiratory parameters, myoclonic activity).

  24. Change in biomarkers for inflammation by blood analysis

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy

    A relevant panel of biomarkers for chronic low-grade inflammation, modulation of inflammation and pain will be investigated (ultra-sensitivity ELISA for hsCRP, interleukin (IL)1β, IL1RA, IL6, IL8, IL10, MCP1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α, sTNFR1&2, CXCL-10, CX3CL1). Blood sampling will be performed at the hospital after overnight fasting.

  25. Change in physical performance

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy

    30sec chair stand test to test leg strength and endurance.While monitoring the participant's performance to ensure proper form, the tester silently counts the completion of each correct stand. The score is the total number of stands within 30 seconds

  26. Change in health care use

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy

    Health care use (including co-interventions) will be recorded using the Medical Consumption Questionnaire, a generic instrument for measuring total, (in-)direct medical consumption. This questionnaire is easy-to-use and generates valid data.

  27. Change in productivity cost

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The Productivity Cost Questionnaire will be used to obtain data regarding productivity losses. This questionnaire is easy-to-use and generate valid data.

  28. Change in health-related quality of life

    Time frame: Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy

    The EQ-5D-5L will be used to assess health-related quality of life and to calculated utility health states for the cost-utility analysis. The EQ-5D-5L essentially consists of 2 pages: the EQ-5D descriptive system and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS).

    The descriptive system comprises five dimensions, with each dimension consisting of 5 levels: no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems and extreme problems. The patient is asked to indicate his/her health state by ticking the box next to the most appropriate statement in each of the five dimensions. Higher scores indicate a higher quality of life

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Other

Collaborators

  • KU Leuven
  • Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

Registry information

Official study title

Towards PREcision MEdicine for Osteoarthritis: Added Value of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia.

Acronym: PREMEO

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 24, 2022
Registry last updated
Sep 3, 2025

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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