Home-Based Quadriceps Isometric Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain and reduced mobility in older adults. Many people have limited access to supervised rehabilitation programs, highlighting the need for simple and safe home-based treatment options. This study evaluates whether a brief home-based quadriceps isometric exercise program can reduce knee pain in community-dwelling older adults. Participants perform short daily muscle contractions of the thigh muscles for 28 days. In addition, participants are assigned to receive one of four topical formulations (placebo, cannabidiol, arnica, or a combination of cannabidiol and arnica) to explore whether these products modify the exercise response. The primary outcome is change in knee pain intensity measured using a visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes include adherence and safety. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effectiveness of this low-cost and easily accessible strategy to inform future larger clinical trials.