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Enrolling by invitationNo phase

Chatbot-based Pain Management for People With Knee Osteoarthritis

Key facts

Who runs it
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Where
Hong Kong1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
Trial code
Status
Enrolling by invitation
People taking part
36 people, planned
Started
Sept 2026
Expected to end
Mar 2027
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • The C-MPPM intervention
  • Online education
Record updated
16 October 2026

Who can take part

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

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 13 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Aged 18 years or above
  • Having knee OA according to the American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria (Skou et al., 2020)
  • Had symptoms of knee OA pain for at least three months
  • Having moderate or greater pain (the numeric rating scale score ≥ 4)
  • Having a smartphone/computer, internet access, and a WhatsApp account
  • Understand Cantonese and informed consent

Who cannot take part

  • Had a total joint replacement knee/hip surgery (or on a waiting list), other knee/hip surgery, meniscus tear, or anterior cruciate ligament tear in the past 6 months
  • Having clinically diagnosed cognitive impairment or severe memory loss
  • Having clinically diagnosed psychotic condition(s)
  • Having a serious or terminal illness as indicated by referral to hospice or palliative care
  • Had an intra-articular injection in the past 3 months or scheduled during the study period
  • Having hearing, verbal communication, and vision problems
  • Medically unfit for or currently engaging in exercise/psychosocial interventions

This trial has no sites in United States.

It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease that causes chronic pain, stiffness, impaired physical function, and associated psychosocial issues such as depression, insomnia, and loneliness. This feasibility study develops and evaluates a chatbot-based mindful physical-psychosocial pain management (C-MPPM) intervention grounded in the biopsychosocial model. The 8-week rule-based chatbot (Cantonese, voice-enabled) delivers integrated mindfulness training, tailored physical exercises, and social support. A feasibility randomised controlled trial will explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the C-MPPM intervention among people with knee OA. Findings will inform a future full-scale randomised controlled trial and provide scalable, accessible pain management solutions for community-dwelling individuals with knee OA.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • The C-MPPM interventionTreatment being tested

    The C-MPPM intervention includes eight weekly sessions: Session 1 - Orientation and engagement; Session 2 - Awareness and acceptance; Session 3 - Non-judgement; Session 4 - Response without reacting; Session 5 - Self-compassion and mindful communication; Session 6 - Managing difficulties and social support; Session 7 - Seek out pleasant things and social connection; and Session 8 - Review the programme and future plan. Following the completion of each session (around one hour), participants will also be reminded to practice mindful exercises as homework in the following week (at least five days per week with 30 minutes each day).

  • Online educationExisting treatment, for comparison

    The control group will receive online educational messages via WhatsApp over eight weeks, which includes information on World Health Organization-recommended physical activity, encouragement, and practical tips for exercises based on OA management guidelines. The online education will not include mindfulness or social support strategies. Participants in this group will be instructed to engage in online education for one hour per week.

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

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Chatbot-based Mindful Physical-psychosocial Pain Management for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Feasibility Study
Record updated
16 October 2026