Effectiveness of mobilisation with movement (MWM) along with usual care for knee osteoarthritis: a study protocol for a randomised clinical trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative condition primarily affecting the knee joint. OA is defined as the gradual degradation of the cartilage in the joints, accompanied by changes in the bone underlying the cartilage, the synovial fluid, the ligaments and the muscles around the affected area. Common manifestations of OA include sensations of pain, stiffness and decreased physical movement. The estimated worldwide incidence of OA is 16.0%. The treatment known as mobilisation with movement (MWM) reduces pain and restores a full range of motion in the affected joint. This study will be a randomised, single-blind controlled trial. 50 adult patients diagnosed with knee OA will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either MWM or conventional physiotherapy treatment. Outcome measures will include the Numerical Pain Rating Scale for assessing pain intensity, a goniometer for measuring joint range of motion, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index for evaluating functional status. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (pretest) and after the intervention (post-test). The Institutional Review Board of the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute has approved the study. Every participant will give their informed consent, and only authorised people will have access to the anonymised data. The study results will be presented at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number: CTRI/2025/05/086343.