Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Combined With Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

Launched by KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY PESHAWAR · May 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help people with knee osteoarthritis, which is a type of arthritis that causes pain and movement difficulties in the knee. Researchers want to see if combining a special treatment called intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy (which involves alternating periods of low and high oxygen levels) with traditional physical therapy can improve pain, balance, and overall health for patients. The study will take place at the Physical Therapy Department of Rehman Medical Institute in Peshawar, Pakistan, and will last for one year.

To participate in this trial, you need to be 45 years or older, have had knee pain for at least three months, and meet certain other criteria, such as being able to walk independently and having a recent X-ray of your knee. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but if you qualify and choose to take part, you can expect to receive both the new treatment and standard physical therapy to see if this combination helps improve your knee condition. Keep in mind that there are some health conditions that might prevent you from joining, such as having had certain surgeries or specific medical issues.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants aged 45 and above.
• • Participants (both male and female) with knee pain for 3 months or more with any three of the following six items: age of 50 years or more, crepitations, enlarged bone, no palpable warmth, morning stiffness for less than 30 minutes, and bony tenderness.
• • Patients who can walk and have a minimum score of 4 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale.
• • Participants who have intact cognition with a score of 24 and above on Mini Mini- Mental State examination.
• • Participants able to walk independently for at least 45 meters in the 6-minute walk test.
• • Participants having a recent X-ray (done within the past 3 months).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with hip or knee arthroplasty.
• • Participants with above or below knee surgery or radiating pain to the lower limb.
• • Patients with history of epilepsy, pregnancy
• • Diagnosed neurological condition that affects lower-limb strength or walk (e.g., stroke/ basal ganglia dysfunction/ trauma)
• • Patients who refused to participate in the study or to be randomly allocated.
• • Patients receiving steroids or any medicine other than that prescribed by the screening orthopaedic surgeon.