Effects of Two Bar Knee Off-Load Brace With Non Weight Bearing Strength Training Among Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Summary

The current study is a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 18 participants with knee osteoarthritis. The trial will compare a program of two-bar knee off-load brace combined with non-weight bearing strength training with a program of standard knee off-loader brace combined with non-weight bearing strength training. Interventions will be delivered three times per week for six weeks. The primary outcomes are pain, stiffness, and patient satisfaction. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after six weeks. The trial will be carried out at Water and Power Development Authority Hospital Complex and Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. The hypothesis is that the two-bar knee off-load brace combined with non-weight bearing strength training will result in greater reductions in pain and stiffness as well as improved patient satisfaction compared with the standard knee off-loader brace with non-weight bearing strength training.

Conditions

• Knee Osteoarthritis

Interventions

OTHER

Two-Bar Knee Off-Load Brace with Non-Weight Bearing Strength Training Intervention

Participants will be instructed to wear the two-bar knee off-loader brace during waking hours. Participants will be advised not to wear the brace during sleep, bathing, or personal hygiene activities, and to remove it during prolonged periods of sitting or lying down. Daily skin inspection will be recommended to monitor for discomfort or irritation. The Non-Weight Bearing Strength Training is a structured program of strengthening and stretching exercises for the lower extremities. The strength training will be administered three times per week throughout the six-week intervention period. Each treatment session will begin with 10 minutes warm-up, followed by resistance training, and ending with 10 minutes cool-down. The overall session duration is expected to range between 45 and 60 minutes. Rest intervals of 20-30 seconds will be provided between sets, with a 1-minute rest period before transitioning to the next exercise.

OTHER

Standard Knee Off-Loader Brace with Non-Weight Bearing Strength Training Intervention

Participants in the control group will receive the same non-weight bearing strength training program along with the use of a standard knee off-loader brace. The strengthening program will target hip, knee, and ankle muscles and will be performed in non-weight bearing positions to minimize joint stress while improving muscular strength and joint stability.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Muhammad Tariq Rafiq, PhD · Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-31

Primary Completion

2026-08-31

Completion

2026-09-30