Mulligan’s mobilisation with movement and topical diclofenac, alone or in combination, for the management of knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled clinical trial

A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study investigating the comparative and combined effects of Mulligan’s Mobilisation with Movement (MWM), topical diclofenac (Pennsaid), and their combination, alongside a standardized therapeutic exercise program, on pain, function, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN11296490

Enrollment

180

Registered

2025-11-17

Start date

2021-04-02

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-12-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis of the knee Musculoskeletal Diseases

Interventions

Randomisation was conducted using sealed, opaque, sequentially numbered envelopes. The allocation sequence was generated by an independent researcher with no involvement in participant assessment or t

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

45 Years to 75 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosed primary knee osteoarthritis (ARA/ACR criteria) 2. Kellgren–Lawrence grade = 3 3. Independent ambulation (with/without aids) 4. Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Knee pain due to neoplasm or spine pathology 2. Psychiatric or neurological disorders 3. History of lower limb or spinal surgery 4. Intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections within 6 months 5. Use of systemic corticosteroids in past 4 weeks 6. Contraindications to topical NSAIDs or manual therapy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Range of motion (digital goniometer) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months 2. Quadriceps and hamstring strength (hand-held dynamometer) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months 3. Knee function (Knee Society Score, KSS) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months 4. Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Range of motion (digital goniometer) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months 2. Quadriceps and hamstring strength (hand-held dynamometer) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months 3. Knee function (Knee Society Score, KSS) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months 4. Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) at baseline, 2 days post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months

—

Countries

Greece

Contacts

Public ContactEleni Varsamidou

elvarsam@med.duth.gr+30 6936850210

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026