Shock waves could be new weapon against knee pain

NCT ID NCT07468734

Symptom relief Sponsor: German International University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two treatments for chronic knee osteoarthritis: shock wave therapy and structured exercise. Forty adults aged 40 and older with persistent knee pain will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The goal is to see which approach better reduces pain and improves knee function.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy and structured exercise therapy
What this could lead to: If shock wave therapy works better than exercise, it could offer a new, non-drug option for easing knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 40 people. Results may not apply to everyone, and shock wave therapy might not prove more effective than standard exercise.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 40 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Mar 2026

Expected to finish

Nov 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

40 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ≥ 40 years with clinical and radiographic diagnosis of chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III). * Both sexes. * Persistent knee pain ≥ 3 months. * Ability to provide consent and participate in interventions. Exclusion Criteria: * Prior knee surgery within last 6 months. * Intra-articular injections in the last 3 months. * Systemic inflammatory arthritis or other neurological conditions affecting gait.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute respiratory distress syndrome osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Chronic knee osteoarthritis Shock wave Traditional physical therapy

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Shock waves could be new weapon against knee pain

What the study statuses mean