Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Effect of Alexithymia on Response to Physical Therapy in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
Sponsor: Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases and is associated with chronic pain, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Psychological factors may influence both symptom severity and response to treatment. Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions, has been associated with poorer outcomes in chronic pain conditions. The aim of this prospective observational study is to investigate whether the presence of alexithymia affects the clinical response to a standardized physical therapy program in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Participants will undergo a standard physical therapy regimen and will be evaluated before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 6 weeks after treatment completion. Pain, functional status, alexithymia, anxiety, and depression will be assessed using validated clinical scales. The study seeks to determine whether alexithymia is an independent predictor of treatment response in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
40 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2026-06-25
Completion Date
2026-11-01
Last Updated
2026-06-16
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Standard Physical Therapy Program
All participants will receive the same standardized physical therapy program consisting of: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for 20 minutes, Superficial heat therapy (hot pack) for 20 minutes, Therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm²) for 5 minutes, A home exercise program targeting the muscles around the knee. The treatment will be administered 5 days per week for 3 weeks, for a total of 15 sessions.