Study of Cartilage Relaxometry and Physical Activity in Osteoarthritis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study is the radiological component of an earlier registered trial under the title: Efficacy of Exercise on Physical Function and Cartilage Health in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis. The main purpose in this component of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of aerobic exercise and strength training on the T2 and T1 rho relaxation times of the articular cartilage. It has been proven that exercise can improve function and reduce the need for analgesics in patients with osteoarthritis. With this study, we wish to investigate if different kinds of exercise can cause measurable improvements in T2 and T1 rho relaxation times of the articular cartilage, and also if this improvements are transient or permanent.

Official Title
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Efficacy of Strength and Aerobic Exercise on the Articular Cartilage of Patients With Mild and Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis Measured by T2 and T1 Rho MR Imaging - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Osteoarthritis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Strength Training
* Other: Aerobic Exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Women and men aged 45-65 years Clinical knee OA according to the American College of Rheumatology Clinical Criteria 17 Kellgren and Lawrence radiographic OA grade 2 and 3 (mild to moderate radiographic OA) Exclusion Criteria: Severe knee OA according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification (grade 4) Other known major musculoskeletal impairments in the lower extremities or the back or prostheses in any joint of the lower extremities Known coronary heart diseases or cancer Body mass index > 35 Scheduled for surgery in any joint Known mental or psychologic diseases Known drug abuse Persons who already perform sports related moderate physical activity more than two times a week Contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (specific point list at Diagnostic Imaging Division, Akershus University Hospital) Not speaking Norwegian

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 45 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Strength Training<br>The strength group include progressive strength training and neuromuscular exercises. The inclusion will be performed 2-3 times a week for 12 weeks. Intervention: Other: Strength training | Other: Strength Training<br> <br> |
| Experimental: Aerobic exercise<br>The aerobic exercise group will cycle on an ergometer bicycle 2-3 times a week for 12 weeks on moderate loading. The loading will be controlled by a heart rate monitor and is defined as 85% of maximal heart rate. | Other: Aerobic Exercise<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control Group<br>The control group will do as usual. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Qualitative Cartilage Morphology Assessment | Indirect cartilage morphology will by assessed by X-ray Direct cartilage morphology will be assessed by MRI morphometry The biochemical composition of the cartilage will be assessed by relaxometry (T2 and T1 rho relaxation times) | One year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Semiquantitative Cartilage Assessment | Using semiquantitative techniques, the clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis assessed by MRI such as: cartilage lesions and bone marrow lesions will be assessed and quantified by MRI. | One year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Osteoarthritis,Articular Cartilage, Relaxometry, Morphometry, MRI, T2 mapping, T1 rho