Simple calf massage may ease knee arthritis pain, small trial hopes

NCT ID NCT07507175

First seen Apr 07, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 13 times

Summary

This study tests whether a hands-on technique called gastrocnemius myofascial release (a type of calf muscle massage) can reduce pain and improve physical function in women aged 45-55 with knee osteoarthritis. Thirty participants will receive either the real treatment or a sham version three times a week for four weeks. The goal is to see if adding this simple therapy to standard care helps with pain, walking, and daily activities.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

    RECRUITING

    Giza, Giza Governorate, 12613, Egypt

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

What this could mean

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

Active substance

gastrocnemius myofascial release (a manual therapy technique applied to the calf muscle)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to ease knee pain and improve walking and daily activities for women with knee osteoarthritis.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial with only 30 participants. The treatment is a hands-on technique, so results may vary and may not apply to all patients.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

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