Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Yoga for Knee Osteoarthritis

NCT06228573 · tracked via the Priya Life Science Canada tracker

Sponsor

McMaster University

Phase

Not applicable

Started

2024-10-20

Last updated

2026-08-28

Condition(s) studied

Knee Osteoarthritis

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Yoga

Yoga: Yoga program: In weeks 2-9, participants will attend twice weekly 1-hour sessions of yoga led by a certified yoga instructor trained in the intervention by collaborator Pearson. Videos will be provided for completion of home sessions. The yoga program is based on the Pain Care Aware certification program.38 Details of the program as well as the training of instructors are provided in the appendices. Briefly, classes will consist of 3 parts: centring and warming up aimed at regulating physiology prior to beginning the yoga postures; yoga postures and guided relaxation.

Study summary

People with knee arthritis often experience constant pain, and current treatments aren't very effective. This can lead to limited movement and more health problems. Knee arthritis is a big part of healthcare costs in Canada, and its pain is a major reason people see doctors. The pain is linked to complex nervous system changes, making current treatments, like exercise, not very successful.

To address this, researchers suggest a new approach combining two things: a brain stimulation technique called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and yoga. TDCS helps with pain by changing how the brain works, and yoga, a safe practice, focuses on overall well-being. Together, the investigators aim to improve how the nervous system works from top to bottom.

The research project wants to change how the arthritis pain is being managed by focusing on how it works. The investigators plan to test this combo in a study comparing real tDCS plus yoga with fake tDCS plus yoga. The investigators will look not only at pain but also at other measures related to pain and how the nervous system works. This new mix could be a meaningful way to reduce pain for people with knee arthritis.

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Min age

45 Years

Max age

—

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

Inclusion Criteria: * community dwelling adults from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Hamilton and London, Ontario fulfilling the NICE criteria for KOA * ≥45 years of age * Diagnosis of Knee osteoarthritis OR * Having movement-related joint pain with either no morning knee stiffness or stiffness of 30 minutes or less AND * Experiencing an average pain intensity of ≥3 /10 in the past month Exclusion Criteria: * Systemic inflammatory arthritis. * Any knee injection in the past 3 months. * Inability to independently get up and down from the floor. * Lower limb trauma or surgery within the last 6 months. * Current participation in another OA clinical trial. * Use of mobility aids. * Currently receiving care for KOA pain (e.g., physiotherapy). * Planned absences exceeding 1 week. * Contraindications to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) such as neurological or neuropsychiatric conditions. * History of brain surgery or tumor. * Metallic implants. * Epilepsy or history of substance abuse or dependence. * Cochlear or ocular implant. * Presence of a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator. * Eczema on the scalp.

Primary outcome measure(s)

Percentage of complete follow up — 9 weeks and 3 months
Percentage rate measured by those at baseline completing study follow up measures

Trial sites (3)

Facility	City	Region	Status
McMaster University	Hamilton	Ontario	Recruiting
University of Western Ontario	London	Ontario	Recruiting
Université de Sherbrooke	Sherbrooke	Quebec	Recruiting

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Official registry record

This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.

View NCT06228573 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Canada