Total Knee Arthroplasty RecoveryNCT07380958
Mirror Therapy as an Adjunct to Rehabilitation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
A study testing Mirror Therapy in people with Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery, run by State University of New York - Upstate Medical University.
Trial summary
The investigators are looking to see if using a mirror during knee exercises after a knee replacement helps participants with less pain and/or better knee range of motion. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery
- What is being tested?
- Mirror Therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Feb 2026to Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Candidates that have been screened and deemed eligible for a TKA and received a TKA 14 days or less post operation.
- English speaking
- Able to understand and follow instructions
- Has at least 5 degrees of knee extension to 100 degrees of knee flexion AROM on the contralateral knee
- Able to perform unilateral stance on contralateral side for at least 5 seconds (balance assistance allowed)
- Able to perform exercises
Who cannot join
- Post-surgical complications (DVT, infection, nerve injury, vascular injury)
- Pain rating on NPRS no more than a 4/10 on the contralateral LE
- Significant scar or deformity of the contralateral LE
- Visual impairments causing an inability to see the reflection in a mirror
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
The investigators are looking to see if using a mirror during knee exercises after a knee replacement helps participants with less pain and/or better knee range of motion.
Read the detailed description
Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of mirror therapy combined with standard care physical therapy on knee range of motion (ROM), pain levels, and physical function in individuals following a total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Background: Following a TKA, patients often present with numerous impairments including joint stiffness, pain, decreased strength, and impaired mobility. These limitations can inhibit functional progress during rehabilitation and recovery. Mirror therapy is a potential treatment option that may assist in reducing these impairments and improving recovery following TKA.
Study Activities: Active and sham group activities will add-on to the physical therapy session and are considered part of standard care, with no change to the current billing process. Both groups will participate in ROM activities, consistent with standard PT care, as part of a billable treatment. The active group with do standard practice ROM activities while looking at a mirror and the sham group will perform ROM activities without a mirror.
Interventions:
- Treatment will start within 2 weeks (14 days) of the total knee replacement.
- There will be 8 sessions within a 4-week time frame.
Data Analysis: Demographic information will be reported using descriptive statistics. Analyses will use linear mixed-effects models with fixed effects for Group, Time, and the Group × Time interaction, and with subject-level random effects to account for repeated measures. The primary inference will be the Group × Time interaction.
- Conditions
- Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery
- Being tested
- Mirror Therapy, Sham Intervention
- Keywords
- Total knee replacement, pain, mirror therapy, range of motion, joint replacement, rehabilitation following a knee replacement
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mirror TherapyOther
Using a mirror while participating in ROM activities.
Sham InterventionOther
Using a covered mirror, unable to see reflection. subject will perform all ROM activities
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sham, no mirror provided | Sham comparator | Subjects will participate in ROM activities, consistent with standard PT care, without a mirror Receives: Other: Sham Intervention |
| Active mirror | Experimental | Subjects will participate in ROM activities, consistent with standard PT care, with a mirror Receives: Other: Mirror Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain NRS (Pain Numerical Rating Scale)
Subject rates pain from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain
Measured: Every visit, visits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
Knee Flexion and Extension Goniometry
A measurement of knee flexion and knee extension, using a goniometer, will be completed.
Measured: Every visit, visits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Gait Speed
Subject's gait speed will be measured in meters/second.
Measured: Visit 1 and visit 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior (KOOS Jr)
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior (KOOS Jr) is a short, 7-question survey used by doctors to quickly assess a patient's knee pain, stiffness, and daily function. The raw score is converted to a 0-100 scale with a score of 0 = total disability and 100 = full function without pain.
Measured: Visit 1 and visit 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Feb 2026
- Study startFeb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionAug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionOct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Total Knee Arthroplasty RecoveryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York - Upstate Medical University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Marissa Hanlon, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07380958
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2384397-1
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Toshmniwal, P., Wani, Dr. S., Mungikar, Dr. S., Garg, Dr. K., & Katage, Dr. G. (n.d.). Effectiveness of mirror therapy in adjunct to conventional physiotherapy on pain, instability, joint mobility, and proprioception in patients with post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Neuro Quantology, 20(9), 5954-5960.
Ramachandran VS, Rogers-Ramachandran D, Cobb S. Touching the phantom limb. Nature. 1995 Oct 12;377(6549):489-90. doi: 10.1038/377489a0. No abstract available.
PubMed 7566144Frenkel MO, Maltese S, Mayer J, Thermann H. Does mental practice supplemented by mirror therapy promote flexion ability after total knee endoprosthesis? Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research. 2018;3(2):1-10.
Ray L. Joint Replacement Surgery. rheumatology.org. Published February 2024. https://rheumatology.org/participants/joint-replacement-surgery
Rebne E, Louw A, Podalak J, et al. Mirror Therapy for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Study. Surgery Research Journal. 3(1):1-9.
Nishi K, Moriuchi T, Okamura R, Hasegawa T, Chang X, Matsumoto S, Koseki H, Higashi T. Mirror Therapy Reduces Pain and Preserves Corticomotor Excitability in Human Experimental Skeletal Muscle Pain. Brain Sci. 2024 Feb 23;14(3):206. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14030206.
PubMed 38539595
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Mirror Therapy as an Adjunct to Rehabilitation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07380958
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2384397-1
- Conditions
- Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery
- Keywords
- Total knee replacement, pain, mirror therapy, range of motion, joint replacement, rehabilitation following a knee replacement
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York - Upstate Medical UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The investigators are looking to see if using a mirror during knee exercises after a knee replacement helps participants with less pain and/or better knee range of motion.
Detailed description
Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of mirror therapy combined with standard care physical therapy on knee range of motion (ROM), pain levels, and physical function in individuals following a total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Background: Following a TKA, patients often present with numerous impairments including joint stiffness, pain, decreased strength, and impaired mobility. These limitations can inhibit functional progress during rehabilitation and recovery. Mirror therapy is a potential treatment option that may assist in reducing these impairments and improving recovery following TKA.
Study Activities: Active and sham group activities will add-on to the physical therapy session and are considered part of standard care, with no change to the current billing process. Both groups will participate in ROM activities, consistent with standard PT care, as part of a billable treatment. The active group with do standard practice ROM activities while looking at a mirror and the sham group will perform ROM activities without a mirror.
Interventions:
- Treatment will start within 2 weeks (14 days) of the total knee replacement.
- There will be 8 sessions within a 4-week time frame.
Data Analysis: Demographic information will be reported using descriptive statistics. Analyses will use linear mixed-effects models with fixed effects for Group, Time, and the Group × Time interaction, and with subject-level random effects to account for repeated measures. The primary inference will be the Group × Time interaction.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sham, no mirror provided | Sham comparator | Other: Sham InterventionSubjects will participate in ROM activities, consistent with standard PT care, without a mirror |
| Active mirror | Experimental | Other: Mirror TherapySubjects will participate in ROM activities, consistent with standard PT care, with a mirror |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Candidates that have been screened and deemed eligible for a TKA and received a TKA 14 days or less post operation.
- English speaking
- Able to understand and follow instructions
- Has at least 5 degrees of knee extension to 100 degrees of knee flexion AROM on the contralateral knee
- Able to perform unilateral stance on contralateral side for at least 5 seconds (balance assistance allowed)
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Post-surgical complications (DVT, infection, nerve injury, vascular injury)
- Pain rating on NPRS no more than a 4/10 on the contralateral LE
- Significant scar or deformity of the contralateral LE
- Visual impairments causing an inability to see the reflection in a mirror
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror TherapyUsing a mirror while participating in ROM activities. | Other | Active mirror |
| Sham InterventionUsing a covered mirror, unable to see reflection. subject will perform all ROM activities | Other | Sham, no mirror provided |
Primary outcome
Pain NRS (Pain Numerical Rating Scale)
Time frame: Every visit, visits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
Subject rates pain from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain
Knee Flexion and Extension Goniometry
Time frame: Every visit, visits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
A measurement of knee flexion and knee extension, using a goniometer, will be completed.
2 secondary outcomes
Gait Speed
Time frame: Visit 1 and visit 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior (KOOS Jr)
Time frame: Visit 1 and visit 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Feb 2026.
- BackgroundToshmniwal, P., Wani, Dr. S., Mungikar, Dr. S., Garg, Dr. K., & Katage, Dr. G. (n.d.). Effectiveness of mirror therapy in adjunct to conventional physiotherapy on pain, instability, joint mobility, and proprioception in patients with post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Neuro Quantology, 20(9), 5954-5960.
- Background: PubMed 7566144Ramachandran VS, Rogers-Ramachandran D, Cobb S. Touching the phantom limb. Nature. 1995 Oct 12;377(6549):489-90. doi: 10.1038/377489a0. No abstract available.
- BackgroundFrenkel MO, Maltese S, Mayer J, Thermann H. Does mental practice supplemented by mirror therapy promote flexion ability after total knee endoprosthesis? Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research. 2018;3(2):1-10.
- BackgroundRay L. Joint Replacement Surgery. rheumatology.org. Published February 2024. https://rheumatology.org/participants/joint-replacement-surgery
- BackgroundRebne E, Louw A, Podalak J, et al. Mirror Therapy for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Study. Surgery Research Journal. 3(1):1-9.
- Background: PubMed 38539595Nishi K, Moriuchi T, Okamura R, Hasegawa T, Chang X, Matsumoto S, Koseki H, Higashi T. Mirror Therapy Reduces Pain and Preserves Corticomotor Excitability in Human Experimental Skeletal Muscle Pain. Brain Sci. 2024 Feb 23;14(3):206. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14030206.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mirror Therapy in people with Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery, run by State University of New York - Upstate Medical University.
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 6 inclusion and 4 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Marissa Hanlon, PT, DPT, GCS, CSCS (315-464-6892, hanlonma@upstate.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain NRS (Pain Numerical Rating Scale) (time frame: Every visit, visits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. Visits start within 14 days of the TKA and occur a total of 8 times within a 4 weeks time frame.). The study lists 2 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 NCT07380958, which also lists 6 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 2 Feb 2026.