Robot-Aided Off-Axis Neuromuscular Training for Knee OA

Although the primary knee motion occurs in flexion/extension, the frontal and transverse (off-axis) knee motions are smaller but crucial for maintaining joint stability and normal knee loading. Altered kinematics and neuromuscular control in off-axis knee motions have been reported in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), which are associated with excessive knee loading and the progression of knee OA. However, traditional rehabilitative treatments for people with knee OA and existing exercise equipment often focus on sagittal plane movement. Probably due to the technical limitations, there is a lack of convenient and effective equipment/method to train patients with knee OA in off-axis (frontal and transverse) planes. The purpose of this study is to use a robot-aided elliptical training device to measure knee neuromechanical properties and to improve neuromuscular control in off-axis knee motions, aiming for joint de-loading and pain reduction for individuals with knee OA.

NCT Number	NCT07014098
Lead Sponsor	University of Maryland, Baltimore
Conditions	Osteoarthritis of Knee
Enrollment	36 participants
Start Date	2026-09-01
Primary Completion	2029-06-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-07-28