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Using Personalized Rehabilitation to Reduce Disease and Increase Activity of Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Key facts

Who runs it
Washington University School of Medicine
Where
St Louis, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
20 people, planned
Started
15 Aug 2026
Expected to end
31 Mar 2027
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Movement Pattern Training (MoveTrain)
  • Usual Care
Record updated
5 November 2026

Who can take part

Age
50 years and older
Sex
Women and men
Healthy volunteers
Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 7 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Patient reports pain > 3 (0-10, 0 = no pain; 10 = worst pain imaginable)
  • Diagnosis or flare of PMR according to the European League against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria as follows (must satisfy all criteria)10:; Age ≥50 years at time of diagnosis; Presence of bilateral shoulder pain; Elevated acute phase reactants C-reactive protein (CRP) >10 milligram/Liter and/or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) >30 millimeters/hour*; A score ≥4 at the time of diagnosis based on the following (without ultrasound):; Duration of morning stiffness >45 minutes: 2 points; Hip pain or limited range of motion: 1 point; Seronegative for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide: 2 points; Absence of other joint involvement: 1 point
  • Able to give informed consent
  • Physician's clearance to participate in physical activity

Who cannot take part

  • planned major surgical procedure during the study
  • Diagnosis of fibromyalgia, neuropathic muscular disease, complex regional pain syndrome, or small fiber neuropathy
  • Current active uncontrolled infection

Where in United States

  • Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Physical TherapySt Louis, United StatesContact: Marcie Harris-Hayes, PT, DPT, MSCITaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes joint pain and stiffness, making it hard for people to do everyday tasks. Movement pattern training is a special, personalized rehabilitation program that aims to reduce pain by improving how people move during their daily activities. The investigators plan to test if it's possible to conduct a detailed study to find out how effective Movement pattern training is for people with PMR. The investigators will look at whether it helps them perform activities they want to do, reduce their use of certain medications, and strengthen their muscles. The investigators will also gather feedback from patients about their experience with Movement pattern training. This study will help us understand if carrying out a larger study on Movement pattern training's effectiveness is practical.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Usual CareExisting treatment, for comparison

    Patients will be encouraged to complete their treatment as described by their physician.

  • Movement Pattern Training (MoveTrain)Treatment being tested

    Movement pattern Training (MoveTrain) is progressive activity-specific training to improve altered joint motion during patient-specific tasks. At baseline, each patient identifies specific activities (e.g., getting out of bed), work (e.g., reaching overhead), and physical activities (e.g., cycling) that are difficult due to their pain. A movement examination is performed to identify the altered joint motion on associated with movement-evoked pain and the motion modification that reduces their pain. The treatment provider then instructs the patient in activity-specific training, which includes practicing multiple repetitions of the modified activity as their home exercise program. Patients also are instructed to use the trained modified motion during their daily activities to maximize their use in daily routines. This encourages frequent practice and potentially greater program sustainability.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

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Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Using Personalized Rehabilitation to Reduce Disease and Increase Activity of Patients With Polymyalgia Rheumatica: a Feasibility Randomized Clinical Trial
Record updated
5 November 2026