New Options for Treating Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

New Options for Treating Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

This study will be a single-site, four-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Knee osteoarthritis patients (N=164) will be randomized to Reiki, Sham Reiki (placebo control), mindfulness meditation (active control), or a waitlist control condition. The three active interventions will be applied for 20 minutes, once a week, for four consecutive weeks in a university laboratory setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Osteoarthritis in at least one knee
• Report a WOMAC pain score average >/= 2
• Not using any kind of energy therapy different from the proposed study
• Ability to read, understand and speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Knee arthroplasty in the previous year
• Have cognitive impairment as determined by clinical interview