An interventional study of Mobilization with movement and Sham mobilization with movement in Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA), sponsored by Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto. Completed at 1 site in Portugal. Open to participants aged 45 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-03-24.
Sponsored by Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
4,398 studies on the registry are indexed under Osteoarthritis; 582 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 70 across 3,440 interventional studies indexed under Osteoarthritis.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The intervention group received the MWM technique, which involved the 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. All glide forces were tested in a randomly pre-established order, and the most effective force for symptom relief and improvement in knee range of motion was selected for the intervention.
Procedure: Mobilization with movement
In the sham group, the participants underwent a similar procedure to those in the intervention group. 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. The volume of the sham MWM technique was identical to that of the MWM technique administered to the intervention group.
Procedure: Sham mobilization with movement
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.
Also known as: MWM, Mulligan concept
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.
Functional ability
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.
Time frame: Baseline
Knee Pain
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).
Time frame: Baseline
Pain free Range of Motion (ROM)
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.
Time frame: Baseline
Plan to share: No
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This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto