Clinical Research Directory

Genicular Nerve Block for Knee Pain in the ED

Patient with atraumatic knee pain without a large knee effusion on x-ray will be randomized to receive either a genicular nerve block (GNB) or standard of care in the emergency department.

Mobile App-Assisted Home Exercise for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Overview This study evaluates the effectiveness of a dedicated mobile health (mHealth) application in supporting home exercise programs for patients with musculoskeletal disorders, such as neck, shoulder, back, or knee pain. The research aims to address the widespread challenge of low patient adherence to unsupervised home-based exercises. Study Design The project employs a dual-methodology approach: Clinical Trial: 30 participants presenting with neck, shoulder, back, or knee pain will be randomly assigned to either an app-assisted group or a traditional home exercise group. Both groups will undergo 4 weeks of physiotherapy. The study will compare pain intensity, physical function, and exercise adherence between the two cohorts. Retrospective Analysis: To complement the trial, the study will analyze a large-scale database containing approximately 700,000 anonymized real-world data entries. This analysis aims to observe real-time pain fluctuations before and after exercise sessions within routine clinical settings. Goal The primary objective is to determine if integrating mHealth technology into traditional rehabilitation can enhance clinical outcomes and improve patient adherence to home-based exercise routines.

Efficacy and Safety of Endovenous Ablation for Relief of Knee Pain in Elderly Patients With Lower Extremity Varicose Veins: A Prospective Observational Study

Lower extremity varicose veins (LEVV) are common among elderly patients and can cause leg heaviness, pain, and swelling. In some older adults, venous congestion may contribute to knee or peri-knee pain, which is often misattributed to degenerative joint disease alone. Evidence on whether varicose vein treatment can relieve knee pain in very elderly patients (aged 80 years or older) is limited. This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endovenous ablation (EVA) for improving knee pain in elderly patients with symptomatic varicose veins. The study will include participants aged 80 years or older who present with both lower extremity varicose veins and knee joint pain. Eligible patients will undergo endovenous thermal ablation (radiofrequency or endovenous laser ablation) as the primary intervention. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. The primary outcome is the change in knee pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in knee joint function (assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index \[WOMAC\] or Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score \[KOOS\]), venous clinical severity score (VCSS), limb heaviness, quality of life (assessed by EQ-5D), and procedure-related complications. Safety will be evaluated by recording peri-procedural adverse events, including deep vein thrombosis, skin burns, nerve injury, and postoperative infection. The study will also analyze whether preexisting osteoarthritis, venous reflux severity, or body mass index (BMI) affect the magnitude of pain improvement. The hypothesis is that endovenous ablation improves knee pain in elderly patients by reducing venous congestion around the knee and improving venous return. This study will help clarify whether treating varicose veins can provide additional benefits for knee pain and mobility in patients aged 80 years and older.

Validity and Reliability of Video-Based Functional Physiotherapy Assessment of Subacute Knee Injuries

This study aims to validate a function-based physiotherapy assessment for subacute knee pain without using specific knee tests. Assessments are conducted either in-person or via video consultations in primary care. The study also compares the reliability of digital versus physical assessments to determine if video-based evaluations can provide sufficient diagnostic support and guide treatment decisions. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Is a function-based knee assessment without specific knee tests valid compared to traditional in-person diagnostics using specific tests? 2. Is a video-based assessment based on history and function-based knee assessment without specific knee tests as valid and reliable as an in-person function-based knee assessment? 3. What is the interrater agreement of function-based knee assessments conducted via video compared to those conducted in person?

Effects of Short Foot Exercise on Knee Pain, Muscle Tone, Balance, and Quality of Life in Flexible Flatfoot Patients

This study was a clinical trial to investigate the effects of Short Foot Exercise (SFE) and standard physical therapy on knee muscle tone, knee pain and function, balance ability, and quality of life in adults with flexible flat feet and knee pain.

Cryoneurolysis for Knee and Shoulder Pain in an Inpatient Setting

The purpose of the study is to measure the outcomes of a standard care, an ultrasound guided mini-invasive percutaneous procedure, performed on recent stroke patients on reduces pain, increases function \& quality of life The primary objective of the project is to reduce shoulder and/or knee pain in patients who have had a stroke so that they can more readily engage in rehabilitation. Secondary objectives are to reduce analgesic medications, increase independence and improve range of motion, to promote non-drug treatment measures in the medical toolkit, and to include an interdisciplinary care team in patient selection for interventions.

The Effect of Integrated CAM Treatment in Hospitalized Patients

This study investigates the effect of hospital-based intensive non-surgical treatment in musculoskeletal patients admitted to an integrated hospital that offers both complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional medicine treatment.