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TerminatedNCT05460871Updated Mar 4, 2025Results posted

Pregabalin for Central Sensitization in TKA

A Phase 4 interventional study of Pregabalin 75mg in Osteo Arthritis Knee and Central Nervous System Sensitization, sponsored by University of Iowa. Terminated at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 50 Years to 85 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-03-04.

Sponsored by University of Iowa · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Why this study was terminated
Enrollment lower than anticipated; none of the subjects completing the study.
Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
20
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
50 Years to 85 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The study purpose is to determine if giving pregabalin before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can improve pain and meaningful function after surgery in patients that have central sensitization (CS).

Participants will be identified who are indicated for TKA. Interested patients will complete a standard Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), asked their pain score (on a scale of 0 to 10), and complete the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). If they meet inclusion criteria and agree to participate, they will complete the informed consent before being randomized 1:1 to usual care (control group) or pregabalin (study group). The study group participants will take pregabalin starting 7 days prior to surgery. They will also be scheduled to have a pre-operative physical therapy (PT) appointment which will include tests and measures standard to PT. Tests will include a Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), a Sit to Stand 5 Times Repeat Test (5TSTS) and Patient Specific Functional Scale (SFS) measures.

On the day of surgery participants will be asked about any adverse effects of study medication and determine need to withdraw from study. The post-operative plan will be reviewed, including dose of study medication. For the pregabalin group the doses will be doubled for 7 days, then reduced for 7 days, then off. All participants will be given standard peri-operative pain management for TKA . All participants will complete standard of practice physical therapy.

After surgery (usually within 7 days) a physical therapist will perform standard post-operative evaluation and treatment for all participants. This includes a re-evaluation of the same pre-operative functional tests of TUG, 5TSTS and PSFS outcome measures. The study pharmacist will also call the patient to determine if there are any medication-related adverse effects and how much opioid medication the patient is taking at that time (morphine milligram equivalents- MME/day on average).

At the 6 week post-operative visit all participants will again complete the KOOS survey, report a pain score, complete the CSI survey and determine MME based on patient report of quantity of opioid medication used. A physical therapist will complete the functional assessment of the TUG, 5TSTS and PSFS outcome measures.

Read the detailed description

The study purpose is to determine if giving pregabalin before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can improve pain and meaningful function after surgery in patients that have central sensitization (CS). Central sensitization occurs when the brain (central nervous system) becomes hypersensitized and hypervigilant, over-reacting to any painful (and sometimes nonpainful) stimuli. Patients with greater central sensitization have been shown to have significantly more pain after surgery, including TKA. We are proposing to explore whether treatment with a nerve pain medication, pregabalin, can improve post-operative pain and function in these patients. This medication has been shown to improve central sensitization pain in the chronic pain setting but has not been studied for this purpose in the acute surgical pain setting.

Participants will be identified at the visit in which they are indicated for TKA. Patients indicated for a TKA will be approached about participating in the study. Either at that visit or later by phone or e-mail, interested patients will complete a standard Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), which is part of the standard orthopedic evaluation. They will also be asked their pain score (on a scale of 0 to 10), and complete the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). If they meet study inclusion criteria, and they agree to participate, they will complete the informed consent (in person or on-line) and then be randomized 1:1 to usual care (control group) or pregabalin (study group). The study group participants will take pregabalin starting 7 days prior to surgery. The participant will receive usual medication counseling for this medication. They will also be scheduled to have a pre-operative physical therapy (PT) appointment at the time of their pre-op visit, which will include tests and measures standard to PT, but must include a Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), a Sit to Stand 5 Times Repeat Test (5TSTS) and Patient Specific Functional Scale (SFS) measures.

On the day of surgery participants will be asked about any adverse effects of study medication, and determine need to withdraw from study (for any reason). The post-operative plan will also be reviewed, including dose of study medication, for the pregabalin group. For the pregabalin group the doses will be doubled for 7 days, then reduced for 7 days, then off. All participants will be given standard peri-operative pain management for TKA (a nerve block and/or spinal unless contraindicated, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and acetaminophen (unless contraindicated) as well as oral opioid (usually oxycodone or hydromorphone) to use as needed for severe pain. All participants will complete standard of practice physical therapy on day of surgery or until discharged to home.

After surgery (usually within 7 days) a physical therapist will perform standard post-operative evaluation and treatment for all participants. This includes a re-evaluation of the same pre-operative functional tests of TUG, 5TSTS and PSFS outcome measures. At this time, the pharmacist will also call the patient to determine if there are any medication-related adverse effects and how much opioid medication the patient is taking at that time (morphine milligram equivalents- MME/day on average).

Standard follow-up after TKA is 6 weeks. At this visit all participants will again complete the KOOS survey, report a pain score, complete the CSI survey and determine, based on patient report, of quantity of opioid medication used (MME). A physical therapist will complete the functional assessment of the TUG, 5TSTS and PSFS outcome measures.

02

Conditions studied

  • Osteo Arthritis Knee
  • Central Nervous System Sensitization

Keywords

  • Arthroplasty
  • Pain
  • Central Nervous System Sensitization
  • Osteo Arthritis Knee
  • Pregabalin
03

In context

Arthritis

3,554 studies on the registry are indexed under Arthritis; 318 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 20 is below the median of 90 across 2,377 interventional studies indexed under Arthritis.

Browse Arthritis studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Iowa is the lead sponsor of 276 studies on the registry; 35 are open to participants now.

Of its 44 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 39 (89%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
50 Years to 85 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients undergoing native joint unilateral TKA due to Grade 3-4 primary osteoarthritis
  • Patients with score of at least 40 on Central Sensitization Inventory
  • Patients who will complete PT within the U of Iowa Health Care system
  • Patients who have been nonsmokers for > 2 years
  • Patients between the ages of 50 and 85

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients already taking pregabalin or had an adverse effect with pregabalin in the past
  • Patients indicated for joint revision surgery
  • Patients taking at least 30 morphine milligram equivalents per day for the past 1 month
  • Patients with an estimate GFR \< 30 ml/min
  • Patients who do not have an understanding of English
  • Patients who are pregnant or women of child-bearing years
  • Patients who are prisoners
  • Patients who score \< 40 on the CSI
  • Patients who answer Yes to any questions on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale or express suicidal ideation
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
20 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • No intervention
    Control

    Participants will receive standard peri-operative pain management

  • Experimental
    Study (Pregabalin)

    Participants will receive pregabalin orally 75mg twice daily x 7 days prior to surgery, 150mg twice daily x 7 days after surgery, followed by 75mg twice daily x 7 days. Then Stop.

    Drug: Pregabalin 75mg

Interventions

  • DrugPregabalin 75mg

    participants will receive pregabalin orally 75mg twice daily x 7 days prior to surgery, then 150mg twice daily x 7 days after surgery, followed by 75mg twice daily x 7 days, then stop.

    Also known as: Study

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Calculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey- Activities of Daily Living Subscale

    The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Activities of Daily Living subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe, 5 = extreme.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Calculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey-Symptoms

    The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Symptoms subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5=always.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  2. Calculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey-Stiffness

    The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Stiffness subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe, 5 = extreme.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  3. Calculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey-Sports and Recreational Activities

    The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Sports and Recreational Activities subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe, 5 = extreme.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  4. Calculate the Change in Central Sensitization Inventory Score

    The difference in change on the Central Sensitization Inventory assessment will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5 = always.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  5. Calculate the Change of Physical Function Using the Timed Up & Go Assessment

    The change of physical function using the Timed Up \& Go Assessment (TUG) will be evaluated at four intervals during the study; baseline, during the immediate post-operative time period (day of surgery or post-operative day 1), 7-day follow-up, and at 6-week follow-up. Patients will stand up from a chair, walk approximately 10 feet, turn, walk back and sit back down. This activity will be timed in seconds. The change from baseline until 6-week follow-up will be reported.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  6. Calculate the Change of Physical Function Using the Stand to Sit Assessment

    The change of physical function using the Stand to Sit Assessment (STS) will be evaluated at four intervals during the study; baseline, during the immediate post-operative time period (day of surgery or post-operative day 1), 7-day follow-up, and at 6-week follow-up. Patients will stand up and sit down from a chair 5 times in a row, as quickly as they can. This activity will be timed in seconds. The change from baseline until 6-week follow-up will be reported.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  7. Calculate the Change of Physical Function Using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale Assessment

    The change of physical function using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale Assessment (PSFS) will be evaluated at four intervals during the study; baseline, during the immediate post-operative time period (day of surgery or post-operative day 1), 7-day follow-up, and at 6-week follow-up. At baseline, patients will asked to identify activities they are having difficulty/unable to do and would like to gain the mobility back after procedure. The activities will be scored on a continuous rating with The change from baseline until 6-week follow-up will be reported.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  8. Measure the Amount of Pain Reported After Procedure

    Using a numerical rating scale (0-10), patients will be asked to report their pain level. The scale is from 0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 representing the most intense pain. The pain scores will be collected on 7-day post procedure follow-up and at the 6-week follow up. The change between the timepoints will be reported.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

  9. Measure Post-operative Opioid Usage

    Review with subjects the type and amount of additional pain (opioid) medication required to control their pain. This will be examined approximately 7-day post procedure and at the 6-week post procedure follow-up. The amount of opioid medication taken by the subject will be converted to morphine equivalents for reporting purposes.

    Time frame: Approximately 6 weeks

07

Results

Posted Mar 18, 2024

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneControlStudy (Pregabalin)
Started12
Completed00
Not completed12
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject12

Outcome measures

PrimaryCalculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey- Activities of Daily Living Subscale

The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Activities of Daily Living subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe, 5 = extreme.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryCalculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey-Symptoms

The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Symptoms subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5=always.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryCalculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey-Stiffness

The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Stiffness subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe, 5 = extreme.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryCalculate the Change Using the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey-Sports and Recreational Activities

The difference in change on the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) - Sports and Recreational Activities subscale will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks post procedure follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe, 5 = extreme.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryCalculate the Change in Central Sensitization Inventory Score

The difference in change on the Central Sensitization Inventory assessment will be calculated between the treatment groups. The survey will be administered at baseline and at the subject's 6-weeks follow-up. The survey is scored on a continuous scale as follows: 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5 = always.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryCalculate the Change of Physical Function Using the Timed Up & Go Assessment

The change of physical function using the Timed Up \& Go Assessment (TUG) will be evaluated at four intervals during the study; baseline, during the immediate post-operative time period (day of surgery or post-operative day 1), 7-day follow-up, and at 6-week follow-up. Patients will stand up from a chair, walk approximately 10 feet, turn, walk back and sit back down. This activity will be timed in seconds. The change from baseline until 6-week follow-up will be reported.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryCalculate the Change of Physical Function Using the Stand to Sit Assessment

The change of physical function using the Stand to Sit Assessment (STS) will be evaluated at four intervals during the study; baseline, during the immediate post-operative time period (day of surgery or post-operative day 1), 7-day follow-up, and at 6-week follow-up. Patients will stand up and sit down from a chair 5 times in a row, as quickly as they can. This activity will be timed in seconds. The change from baseline until 6-week follow-up will be reported.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryCalculate the Change of Physical Function Using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale Assessment

The change of physical function using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale Assessment (PSFS) will be evaluated at four intervals during the study; baseline, during the immediate post-operative time period (day of surgery or post-operative day 1), 7-day follow-up, and at 6-week follow-up. At baseline, patients will asked to identify activities they are having difficulty/unable to do and would like to gain the mobility back after procedure. The activities will be scored on a continuous rating with The change from baseline until 6-week follow-up will be reported.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryMeasure the Amount of Pain Reported After Procedure

Using a numerical rating scale (0-10), patients will be asked to report their pain level. The scale is from 0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 representing the most intense pain. The pain scores will be collected on 7-day post procedure follow-up and at the 6-week follow up. The change between the timepoints will be reported.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

SecondaryMeasure Post-operative Opioid Usage

Review with subjects the type and amount of additional pain (opioid) medication required to control their pain. This will be examined approximately 7-day post procedure and at the 6-week post procedure follow-up. The amount of opioid medication taken by the subject will be converted to morphine equivalents for reporting purposes.

Time frame:
Approximately 6 weeks

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

Adverse events

Collected over Up to 3 months. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Control0/1 (0%)0/1 (0%)0/1 (0%)
Study (Pregabalin)0/2 (0%)0/2 (0%)0/2 (0%)

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)ControlStudy (Pregabalin)Total
Mean62 ± 055.5 ± 4.557.6 ± 4.78
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)ControlStudy (Pregabalin)Total
Female011
Male112
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected(Participants)ControlStudy (Pregabalin)Total
Count of participants——0
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)ControlStudy (Pregabalin)Total
United States123
Grade 3-4 primary osteoarthritis
Grade 3-4 primary osteoarthritis(Participants)ControlStudy (Pregabalin)Total
Count of participants123
no previous adverse reaction to study drug
no previous adverse reaction to study drug(Participants)ControlStudy (Pregabalin)Total
Count of participants123
08

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
    Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
09

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Sep 14, 2023
  • Informed consent form · Aug 15, 2023

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 4, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05460871
Lead sponsor
University of Iowa
Responsible party
Lee A. Kral (Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Iowa) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 15, 2022
Start date
Feb 21, 2023
Primary completion
Jan 25, 2024
Completion
Jan 25, 2024
Results posted
Mar 18, 2024
Last update
Mar 4, 2025

Study contacts

Lee Kral, Pharm. D.
principal investigator · University of Iowa

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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