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Chronic Musculoskeletal PainPhase 2KOPENCT06580912

Krill Oil for Pain in Elders

A Phase 2 study testing Krill oil and Mixed vegetable oil in people with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, run by University of Florida at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Chronic musculoskeletal pain contributes to mobility disability among older adults. Nutritional interventions, like omega-3 fatty acids, may help manage pain and improve physical function. Supplementation with krill oil may offer advantages to fish oil due to better absorption and additional nutrients. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 60 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
What is being tested?
Krill oil and Mixed vegetable oil
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
17 Jan 2025to 17 Dec 2025
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 60 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  • Male or female, aged ≥60 years
  • Exhibiting chronic musculoskeletal pain of the hip, knees, or lower back (>3 months)
  • Average pain ≥4 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale
  • Exhibiting moderate mobility limitations (Short Physical Performance Battery score 4-10)
  • Ability to take oral supplements and be willing to adhere to the supplementation regimen
  • Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration

Who cannot join

  • Any known coagulation or bleeding disorders
  • Standing regimen of anticoagulants or full-dose aspirin
  • Regular use of opioids or high-dose NSAIDs
  • Taking medication known to affect muscle (e.g. steroids)
  • Taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Omega-3 supplementation within the past 3 months
Show all 17Show fewer
  • High consumption of fatty fish (>2 servings/week)
  • Habitual supplementation with other complementary medicines/supplements that may affect the study results, including St. John's Wort
  • Known allergy to seafood
  • Clinically significant conditions: diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease, seizure disorders, uncontrolled hypertension (>150/90mmhg at baseline), cancer or cancer that has been in remission >5 years
  • History of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
  • Dementia
  • History of smoking, alcohol abuse, or illicit drug use
  • Ambulatory impairments which would limit the ability to perform physical function tests
  • Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 3 months
  • Planning a surgical procedure during the study period
  • Planning to permanently leave the area during the study period

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • UF Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

    Gainesville, Florida, 32610

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Krill Oil for Pain and Physical Function in Older Adults

Chronic musculoskeletal pain contributes to mobility disability among older adults. Nutritional interventions, like omega-3 fatty acids, may help manage pain and improve physical function. Supplementation with krill oil may offer advantages to fish oil due to better absorption and additional nutrients. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of a clinical trial to determine the impact of krill oil supplementation on pain and function in older adults, informing future research.

Read the detailed description

Mobility is a critical factor in the maintenance of independence and quality of life of older adults. Chronic musculoskeletal pain contributes to mobility disability disproportionately among older adults. Current treatments for pain and functional decline are often ineffective and add to heightened risks of polypharmacy in older adults. As such, nutritional interventions can play a significant role in promoting health and longevity, managing pain, and enhancing physical function in older adults. Omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients that are well recognized for their anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective benefits, as well as their analgesic and anti-nociceptive properties. Most American adults do not meet the recommendations for ω-3 intakes, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found primarily in seafood. Due to competing pathways, an elevated ω-6 to ω-3 ratio contributes to an overproduction of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and the development of chronic diseases. A high ω-6:ω-3 ratio is associated with higher chronic pain prevalence and increased pain severity. Additionally, ω-3 PUFAs may play a role in the preservation of muscle and physical function in older adults. Low levels of ω-3s in blood are associated with reduced muscle strength, slower gait speed, and mobility disability among older adults. Considered largely safe and cost-effective, ω-3 supplementation may be crucial to increasing the intake of these essential nutrients and achieving optimal levels among older adults. Although the use of EPA and DHA has been incorporated into several guidelines, a scarcity of data has prevented the development of strong recommendations on the use of ω-3 supplementation for the maintenance of physical function in older adults, particularly those with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Krill oil has been recently proposed as an advantageous alternative to traditional fish oil supplements, due to a greater bioavailability of EPA and DHA and additional bioactive compounds. The goal of the proposed pilot study is to assess the feasibility of a 3-month randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of krill oil supplementation on pain and physical function in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The investigators will enroll 40 older adults (≥60 years) who will be randomly assigned to 4 g krill oil (1,288 mg/d EPA+DHA, 0.45 mg astaxanthin, 320 mg choline) daily or matched placebo (mixed lipids without EPA and DHA). The investigators will determine the impact of krill oil supplementation on the omega-3 index (%EPA+DHA in erythrocytes), the ω-6/ω-3 ratio, and inflammatory biomarkers in blood, and obtain preliminary evidence of its impact on pain and physical function in older adults. The findings of this pilot will inform a future fully-powered randomized controlled trial by assessing the feasibility and acceptability of krill oil supplementation among older U.S. adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Being tested
Krill oil, Mixed vegetable oil
Keywords
Chronic Pain
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Krill oilDrug

    4 grams of krill oil per day

  • Mixed vegetable oilDietary supplement

    4 grams of mixed vegetable oil per day

Study groups in NCT06580912
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Krill oilExperimental4 grams of krill oil per day
Receives: Drug: Krill oil
Mixed vegetable oilPlacebo comparator4 grams of mixed vegetable oil per day
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Mixed vegetable oil

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Participants With 70% or Greater Adherence Based on Self-reported Daily Diary

    Adherence defined as taking at least 70% of assigned capsules during the 12-week intervention, based on participant diary records.

    Measured: From baseline through final assessment, up to 12 weeks.

  2. Participants With 70% or Greater Adherence Based on Capsule Counts

    Adherence defined as taking at least 70% of assigned capsules during the 12-week intervention, based on capsule count records.

    Measured: From baseline through final assessment, up to 12 weeks.

  3. Overall Acceptability Score on the Medicine Acceptability Questionnaire

    The Medicine Acceptability Questionnaire (MAQ) overall acceptability item was rated on a 0 to 10 scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability.

    Measured: 6 weeks and 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Omega-3 Index

    Omega-3 Index was calculated as eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid, or EPA+DHA, expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids in erythrocytes.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks

  2. High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein

    High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) will be measured at every visit as an inflammatory biomarker and for safety monitoring.

    Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Aug 2024
  2. Study start17 Jan 2025
  3. Primary completion17 Dec 2025
  4. Study completion17 Dec 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06580912
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB202400581
Other IDs
P30AG028740
Acronym
KOPE
Status last verified
Feb 2025
First submitted
26 Aug 2024
Last updated
17 Jun 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Sibille KT, King C, Garrett TJ, Glover TL, Zhang H, Chen H, Reddy D, Goodin BR, Sotolongo A, Petrov ME, Cruz-Almeida Y, Herbert M, Bartley EJ, Edberg JC, Staud R, Redden DT, Bradley LA, Fillingim RB. Omega-6: Omega-3 PUFA Ratio, Pain, Functioning, and Distress in Adults With Knee Pain. Clin J Pain. 2018 Feb;34(2):182-189. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000517.

    PubMed 28542024
  • Stonehouse W, Benassi-Evans B, Bednarz J, Vincent AD, Hall S, Hill CL. Krill oil improved osteoarthritic knee pain in adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: a 6-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Sep 2;116(3):672-685. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac125.

    PubMed 35880828
  • Suzuki Y, Fukushima M, Sakuraba K, Sawaki K, Sekigawa K. Krill Oil Improves Mild Knee Joint Pain: A Randomized Control Trial. PLoS One. 2016 Oct 4;11(10):e0162769. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162769. eCollection 2016.

    PubMed 27701428
  • Alkhedhairi SA, Aba Alkhayl FF, Ismail AD, Rozendaal A, German M, MacLean B, Johnston L, Miller AA, Hunter AM, Macgregor LJ, Combet E, Quinn TJ, Gray SR. The effect of krill oil supplementation on skeletal muscle function and size in older adults: A randomised controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2022 Jun;41(6):1228-1235. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.04.007. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

    PubMed 35504165
  • Laslett LL, Scheepers LEJM, Antony B, Wluka AE, Cai G, Hill CL, March L, Keen HI, Otahal P, Cicuttini FM, Jones G. Krill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2024 Jun 18;331(23):1997-2006. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.6063.

    PubMed 38776073
  • Tamargo JA, Simic K, Capote S, Przkora R, Sibille KT, Cruz-Almeida Y, Anton SD. Krill Oil for Pain in Elders: protocol for a pilot, double-blind, randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of 4 g/d krill oil supplementation for chronic musculoskeletal pain and mobility limitations in older adults. Br J Nutr. 2026 May 18:1-11. doi: 10.1017/S0007114526107557. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 42144560
  • Tamargo JA, Carvajal E, Simic K, Przkora R, Anton SD, Cruz-Almeida Y. Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Krill Oil Supplementation for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults. J Nutr. 2026 Jun;156(6):101517. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101517. Epub 2026 Apr 1.

    PubMed 41933837

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Krill oil and Mixed vegetable oil in people with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, run by University of Florida at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 17 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 13 May 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Participants With 70% or Greater Adherence Based on Self-reported Daily Diary (time frame: From baseline through final assessment, up to 12 weeks.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06580912, which also lists 7 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jun 2026.

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