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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06887868

Immediate Effect of Mobilization with Movement on Squat Self-reported Functional Ability, Pain Intensity, and Pain-free Range of Motion in People with Knee Osteoarthritis

Mobilization with movement (MWM) appears to reduce pain, improve knee range of motion, and enhance physical functioning in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, it remains unclear whether the severity grading of structural damage in KOA affects its effects. This study aims to analyze the immediate effect of MWM on squat self-reported functional ability, pain intensity, and pain-free range of motion in people with KOA, and to verify it its effect is influenced by the severity grading of structural damage.

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Key information

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA) Arthritis Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis, Knee Rheumatic Diseases

Age range

45 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

E2S | P.PORTO - Escola Superior de Saúde do Politécnico do Porto

Porto, Porto District, 4200-072, Portugal

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • male or female;
  • aged over 45 years;
  • clinically diagnosed with symptomatic unilateral KOA, classified as grade 1-3 according to the Kellgren and Lawrence system;
  • fulfilled the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for KOA;
  • reported frequent episodes of pain in the knee joint during sit-to-stand movements for at least 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

  • had KOA secondary to rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions;
  • reported lumbar pain radiating to the knee or lumbar pain as the primary complaint;
  • had a history of knee or lower limb surgery;
  • had a systemic or local infection;
  • had received an intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection within the past 6 months;
  • reported current or past (within 4 weeks) oral corticosteroid use;
  • had any condition in the lower limbs that would prevent performing the deep squat test;
  • had clinical conditions in which manual therapy is generally contraindicated (such as fracture, osteoporosis, instability, infectious arthritis, tumors, joint ankylosis, acute inflammatory disorders, or lack of a diagnosed joint lesion).

Treatment and study plan

Mobilization with movement

Procedure

Manual application of a sustained translational or rotational glide force, either medial or lateral, on the tibia, while an active partial weight-bearing lunge movement was performed.

Other names: MWM, Mulligan concept

Sham mobilization with movement

Procedure

The physiotherapist mimicked the pain-reducing glide direction without applying glide force while the participants performed the active lunge movement. To achieve this, the physiotherapist's hands lightly touched the knee skin, with one hand on the tibia and the other on the femur over the joint surfaces.

Primary outcomes

  1. Functional ability

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Patient-Specific Functional Scale was used to assess self-reported functional ability. This scale is a self-reported, valid, and responsive outcome measure used to quantify activity limitations and evaluate functional outcomes for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. Participants rated their current level of ability to performing the deep squat test on an 11-point scale at a level experienced prior to injury or change in functional status, where "0" represents "unable to perform" and "10" represents "able to perform at prior level.

  2. Knee Pain

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Numeric Pain Rating Scale is a self-reported, valid, and responsive outcome measure that was used in this study to quantify pain intensity. Participants rated their current pain intensity related to performing the deep squat test on a scale divided into eleven equal parts, numbered consecutively from 0 to 10, where "0" represents "No Pain" and "10" represents "Worst Possible Pain" (the most intense pain imaginable).

  3. Pain free Range of Motion (ROM)

    Time frame: Baseline

    This test has been advocated as a useful method for evaluating knee pain and function. Participants began the deep squat test by standing with their feet flat on the floor, approximately shoulder-width apart, aligned in the sagittal plane, and their hands placed on their pelvis (adapted from the original test description). They were then instructed to squat (buttocks towards the heels) as low as possible until the onset of pain, while maintaining an upright torso, avoiding asymmetric weight shift, and keeping their heels and toes in position. Before the test, participants viewed a demonstration video to optimize their understanding of the procedures. Additionally, they were given the opportunity to perform a practice trial of the deep squat test at a pain-free range of motion.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Immediate Effect of Mobilization with Movement on Squat Self-reported Functional Ability, Pain Intensity, and Pain-free Range of Motion in People with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Mar 20, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 24, 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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