Clinical Research Directory

Light Therapy on Pain and Synovitis

Background: Knee pain is a common complaint among middle-aged and older adults, often leading to reduced mobility and diminished quality of life. Synovitis is a major underlying cause, present in up to 80% of individuals with moderate knee pain. While light therapy has shown anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in preclinical studies, our prior animal experiments revealed that light therapy at 810 nm significantly alleviated inflammation and pain-like behaviors. These findings suggest a potential wavelength-specific therapeutic effects. However, it remains unclear whether such effects can be replicated in humans. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 810 nm light therapy, compared to sham treatment, in reducing knee pain and synovitis in patients with chronic knee pain and knee synovitis. Methods/design: This is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 90 participants with chronic knee pain and ultrasound-detected synovitis. Participants will be randomized into two groups to receive 810 nm light therapy, or sham therapy, delivered twice weekly over five weeks. Primary outcomes include knee pain assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and synovitis assessed by ultrasound. Secondary outcomes include the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the 30-second chair stand test, and the 40-meter fast-paced walk test. Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline, post-intervention (week 5), and at 1 month and 6 months after treatment completion. Linear mixed-effects models will be used to compare outcome changes between groups. Discussion: This trial will assess whether 810 nm light therapy provides clinically meaningful benefits for reducing knee pain and synovitis in humans, building on promising preclinical findings. Results from this study may support the use of near-infrared light as a safe, non-invasive, and effective intervention for synovitis-related knee pain.

A Trial to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Intra-articular 4P004 Injection in Subjects With Knee Synovitis and Osteoarthritis

This phase 2a trial is an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of one single intra-articular (IA) injection of 4P004 or placebo in: * patients between 40 and 80 years of age, * with synovitis and grade 2 to 4 osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee according to Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) classification.

Role of Methotrexate in Ultrasound Proven Synovitis in Primary Knee OA

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with limited treatment options and many patients suffering from chronic pain. Modern imaging has revealed that OA involves complex changes in cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovium. Pain in OA is often linked to synovitis, which is common in the condition. Methotrexate (MTX), a proven treatment for synovitis in inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis and has a well-known safety profile. The proposal suggests that using MTX may have potential to treat symptomatic knee OA with USG (musculoskeletal ultrasound) proven synovitis by reducing synovitis and as a result, alleviate pain. Objectives: To assess the role of methotrexate in primary knee osteoarthritis associated with ultrasound proven synovitis. Methods: This randomized Controlled trial will be conducted in the department of Rheumatology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) from July 2025 to June 2026. A total of 70 patients will be enrolled with primary knee OA diagnosed on the basis of ACR Criteria for Knee OA with informed written consent. MSK USG examinations of knee joint and scoring (OMERACT SCORE) will be performed to detect synovitis by a rheumatologist expert in MSK US. Then randomization will be done into group A and group B following a randomization table, each consisting of 35 patients. Consecutive sampling techniques will be followed. One group will receive MTX (start with 15 mg per week for the first 2 weeks then increase to 20 mg and continue for the remaining period if tolerated) and Both groups of patients will be allowed to take NSAIDs on a requirement basis with documentation and follow non-pharmacological treatment of OA. At the end of 3rd and 6th month pain and functional status will be assessed by WOMAC, VAS and quality of life will be assessed by using Bangla version of SF-12. At the end of 6th month improvement of synovitis will be seen by MSK USG of involved knees with OMERACT scoring. Primary endpoint for efficacy will be assessed at the end of 24th week by WOMAC. Secondary endpoints will be determined by VAS and SF-12. Adverse effects will be assessed by history, physical examinations and investigations. The data will be analyzed by using the latest version SPSS software (Version 29). Results will be recorded using means and standard deviations. Results will be compared among two groups with a 95% confidence interval and a p- value of \< 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. The degrees of statistical significance between groups will be analyzed by unpaired t test (for quantitative normally distributed data) and Mann Whitney U test if there is skewed distribution. Qualitative data in between groups will be analyzed by the chi square test. Probabilities of associations will be assessed by calculating Pearson's rank correlation coefficient. P-value \<0.05 will be regarded as statistically significant. The nature, purpose and implication of the study as well as the entire spectrum of benefits and risks of study will be explained to the patients. Privacy and confidentiality of the subject will be maintained. Each patient will enjoy the right to participate and or withdraw from the study at any point of the study period. Ethical clearance will be obtained from the institutional Review Board (IRB) of BMU.

Perfusion MRI-targeted Joint Embolization for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain of the Shoulder, Hip and Knee

In this work the investigators will study the relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain and abnormal blood flow (neovascularity) around the shoulder, hip and knee. Veterans with as history of chronic shoulder, hip or knee pain and mild/moderate joint degenerative changes will be potential study subjects. Blood flow around joints will be evaluated using perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants with demonstrably abnormal blood flow around their painful joint will be eligible for enrollment in a pilot study of joint embolization to treat their pain. Participants who choose to not undergo treatment will be re-assessed with MRI after one year to characterize the natural history of joint neovascularity and its relationship to pain.

Dronabinol After Arthroscopic Surgery

The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy of dronabinol for postoperative pain after arthroscopic surgery of the knee. The investigators hypothesize that dronabinol will relieve pain, reduce opioid consumption and will result in few negative side effects. If this pilot study shows promising results the investigators will expand the trial to include additional arthroscopic surgeries (hip, shoulder) and other types of orthopaedic surgery.