Knee Osteoarthritis Study Needs VolunteersThat "pain in the knee" that's been diagnosed as osteoarthritis can help you help others. If you are 50 years of age or older and haven't exercised in six months or more, you can take part in an innovative, drug-free study that may help unlock the secrets of managing osteoarthritis for the 70 million Americans who are expected to be diagnosed with the disease by 2030. The Arthritis Research Institute of America (ARIA), Barry University and the University of Kentucky are collaborating on an exercise study that will provide tests, X-rays and five training sessions free to participants who have knee osteoarthritis. The 8-week study is home-based and does not involve any drugs . Study volunteers are not compensated. "Some participants will be assigned a non-exercise treatment, but they can join the exercise program after that treatment,” said Matt Rogers, MS, the study’s coordinator. The study is limited to volunteers with osteoarthritis only; researchers are not studying those with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, lupus or other rheumatic diseases. For information, call Matt Rogers, MS, (727) 461-4054 or email mrogers@preventarthritis.org. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million Americans today. It involves the progressive wearing away of the smooth surface of cartilage covering the ends of bones, leading to pain and disability. While some types of arthritis have been well studied, osteoarthritis hasn't been studied as intensively. ARIA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been conducting osteoarthritis research in Clearwater, FL for more than two decades. Its research has been published in prestigious medical journals such as Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Rheumatology and Physical Therapy. For information, to volunteer or to make a tax-deductible contribution to fund osteoarthritis research, call (727) 461-4054 or go to www.preventarthritis.org.
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