Could a pill plus walking ease knee pain and lift mood in veterans?

NCT ID NCT07649291

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether combining the medication duloxetine with a structured walking program can improve physical function, reduce pain, and ease depressive symptoms in veterans with knee osteoarthritis. Participants will be assigned to either the drug-plus-exercise group or a physical therapy referral group. The goal is to find a practical treatment that addresses both pain and mood in this population.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: duloxetine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a practical treatment strategy that improves mobility and quality of life for veterans with chronic knee pain and depression.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with 102 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The combination may cause side effects like nausea or dizziness, and the exercise program may be hard to maintain.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder Motor Activity osteoarthritis, knee Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEPRESSION KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States

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