Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)NCT07710235
Dry Needling and Kinesio Taping as Adjuncts to Strength Training on Pain, Functional Mobility, and Quality of Life in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
A study testing Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training, Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training and Strength Training in people with Knee Osteoarthritis (OA), run by Foundation of Medical Research and Laboratories, Pakistan at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
To compare the effects of dry needling and Kinesio taping, each combined with strength training, on pain, functional mobility, and quality of life in patients with knee OA. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 45 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
- What is being tested?
- Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training, Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training and Strength Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2024to 1 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 45 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Inclusion Criteria: Patient with knee osteoarthritis, Age between 45-65 years, VAS 7 or above.
-
Exclusion Criteria: Known allergic conditions, refused to give written consent to participate in the study not fallen in inclusion criteria.
-
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Dry Needling and Kinesio Taping as Adjuncts to Strength Training on Pain, Functional Mobility, and Quality of Life in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
To compare the effects of dry needling and Kinesio taping, each combined with strength training, on pain, functional mobility, and quality of life in patients with knee OA.
Read the detailed description
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint condition characterized by pain, myofascial trigger points, muscular weakness, and impaired functional mobility, ultimately affecting quality of life. Strength training is widely recommended as a first-line conservative treatment; however, residual pain and myofascial dysfunction may limit optimal recovery. Dry needling has been shown to deactivate trigger points and reduce local muscle hypertonicity, while Kinesio taping is proposed to modulate pain and support proprioception and muscle function through cutaneous and fascial mechanisms. Comparative evidence on the added benefit of these two adjunct techniques alongside strength training in knee OA remains scarce.
Objective: To compare the effects of dry needling and Kinesio taping, each combined with strength training, on pain, functional mobility, and quality of life in patients with knee OA.
Methodology: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted on 50 participants diagnosed with knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III), randomly allocated into three groups using a computer-generated random sequence with allocation concealment. Group A received dry needling combined with strength training, Group B received Kinesio taping combined with strength training, and Group C received strength training alone as the control group. Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for functional mobility, and the WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life, assessed at baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons, with significance set at p<0.05.
- Conditions
- Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Being tested
- Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training, Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training, Strength Training
- Keywords
- Knee osteoarthritis; Dry needling; Kinesio taping; Strength training; Quality of life
- Medical subject headings
- Osteoarthritis, Knee
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry Needling Combined with Strength TrainingBehavioural
Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training were administered three times per week for 6 weeks
Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength TrainingBehavioural
Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training were administered three times per week for 6 weeks
Strength TrainingBehavioural
Strength Training were administered three times per week for 6 weeks
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training | Experimental | Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training: Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks Receives: Behavioral: Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training |
| Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training | Experimental | Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training: Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks Receives: Behavioral: Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training |
| Strength Training | Experimental | Strength Training: Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks Receives: Behavioral: Strength Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
The value were taken at base line and after 6 weeks of intervention
Measured: 6 weeks
Timed Up and Go (TUG)
The value were taken at base line and after 6 weeks of intervention
Measured: 6 weeks
WHOQOL-BREF
The value were taken at base line and after 6 weeks of intervention
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2024
- Primary completion1 Dec 2025
- Study completion1 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)Studies 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
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Foundation of Medical Research and Laboratories, Pakistan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Malika Hassan, Study director, fmr.labs@medicalresearchforum.net
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07710235
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FMRL_04_26
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Dry Needling and Kinesio Taping as Adjuncts to Strength Training on Pain, Functional Mobility, and Quality of Life in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07710235
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FMRL_04_26
- Conditions
- Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Keywords
- Knee osteoarthritis; Dry needling; Kinesio taping; Strength training; Quality of life
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Foundation of Medical Research and Laboratories, PakistanUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Jul 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.
To compare the effects of dry needling and Kinesio taping, each combined with strength training, on pain, functional mobility, and quality of life in patients with knee OA.
Detailed description
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint condition characterized by pain, myofascial trigger points, muscular weakness, and impaired functional mobility, ultimately affecting quality of life. Strength training is widely recommended as a first-line conservative treatment; however, residual pain and myofascial dysfunction may limit optimal recovery. Dry needling has been shown to deactivate trigger points and reduce local muscle hypertonicity, while Kinesio taping is proposed to modulate pain and support proprioception and muscle function through cutaneous and fascial mechanisms. Comparative evidence on the added benefit of these two adjunct techniques alongside strength training in knee OA remains scarce.
Objective: To compare the effects of dry needling and Kinesio taping, each combined with strength training, on pain, functional mobility, and quality of life in patients with knee OA.
Methodology: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted on 50 participants diagnosed with knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III), randomly allocated into three groups using a computer-generated random sequence with allocation concealment. Group A received dry needling combined with strength training, Group B received Kinesio taping combined with strength training, and Group C received strength training alone as the control group. Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for functional mobility, and the WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life, assessed at baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons, with significance set at p<0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Dry Needling Combined with Strength TrainingDry Needling Combined with Strength Training: Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks |
| Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength TrainingKinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training: Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks |
| Strength Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Strength TrainingStrength Training: Interventions were administered three times per week for 6 weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 45 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Needling Combined with Strength TrainingDry Needling Combined with Strength Training were administered three times per week for 6 weeks | Behavioural | Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training |
| Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength TrainingKinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training were administered three times per week for 6 weeks | Behavioural | Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training |
| Strength TrainingStrength Training were administered three times per week for 6 weeks | Behavioural | Strength Training |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: 6 weeks
The value were taken at base line and after 6 weeks of intervention
Timed Up and Go (TUG)
Time frame: 6 weeks
The value were taken at base line and after 6 weeks of intervention
WHOQOL-BREF
Time frame: 6 weeks
The value were taken at base line and after 6 weeks of intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
Not yet recruiting
Holistic Healing for Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)
Not yet recruiting
The Feasibility of a Virtual/Home-based OA Treatment Program in Older Adults With OA and Multimorbidity
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
RecruitingPhase 3
A Study to Learn About Study Medicine Called Berobenatide in Adults With Knee Pain and Overweight or Obesity (VESPER-OA 1)
Obesity, Overweight
RecruitingPhase 3
A Study to Learn About Berobenatide Given Once Weekly in Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis and Overweight or Obesity With or Without Type 2 Diabetes (VESPER-OA 2)
Obesity, Overweight and/or Obesity
Not yet recruiting
Boosting Exercise Adherence in Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, Knee
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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Malika Hassan study director
fmr.labs@medicalresearchforum.net
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dry Needling Combined with Strength Training, Kinesio Taping Combined with Strength Training and Strength Training in people with Knee Osteoarthritis (OA), run by Foundation of Medical Research and Laboratories, Pakistan at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
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 Jul 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 Pakistan. 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. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: 6 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?
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 Jul 2026.