Effect of Alexithymia on Response to Physical Therapy in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Sponsor
Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
Study ID
NCT07651410
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
40 Years - 75 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Standard Physical Therapy Program — PROCEDURE
    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.

Study Details

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 Dates

First listed
Jun 16, 2026
Start date
Jun 25, 2026
Status verified
Jun 2026
Primary completion
Oct 25, 2026
Completion
Nov 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)

Arms

  • Arm: Alexithymia-Positive Cohort
    Participants with knee osteoarthritis who have a Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) score of 61 or higher at baseline. All participants will receive the same standardized physical therapy program and will be followed prospectively to evaluate treatment response.
  • Arm: Alexithymia-Negative Cohort
    Participants with knee osteoarthritis who have a Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) score of less than 61 at baseline. All participants will receive the same standardized physical therapy program and will be followed prospectively to evaluate treatment response.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Total Score [ Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment (3 weeks), and 6 weeks after completion of treatment. ]

Central Contacts

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