Effectiveness of collagen supplementation on pain scores in healthy individuals with self-reported knee pain: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 12 weeks collagen peptide (CP) supplementation on knee pain and function in individuals with self-reported knee pain. Healthy physically active individuals (n = 167; aged 63 [interquartile range = 56–68] years) with self-reported knee pain received 10 g/day of CP or placebo for 12 weeks. Knee pain and function were measured with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Lysholm questionnaire, and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Furthermore, we assessed changes in inflammatory, cartilage, and bone (bio)markers. Measurements were conducted at baseline and after 12 weeks of supplementation. Baseline VAS did not differ between CP and placebo (4.7 [2.5–6.1] vs. 4.7 [2.8–6.2], p = 0.50), whereas a similar decrease in VAS was observed after supplementation (−1.6 ± 2.4 vs. −1.9 ± 2.6, p = 0.42). The KOOS and Lysholm scores increased after supplementation in both groups (p values < 0.001), whereas the increase in the KOOS and Lysholm scores did not differ between groups (p = 0.28 and p = 0.76, respectively). Furthermore, CP did not impact inflammatory, cartilage, and bone (bio)markers (p values > 0.05). A reduced knee pain and improved knee function were observed following supplementation, but changes were similar between groups. This suggests that CP supplementation over a 12-week period does not reduce knee pain in healthy, active, middle-aged to elderly individuals. Novelty CP supplementation over a 12-week period does not reduce knee pain in healthy, active, middle-aged to elderly individuals. CP supplementation over a 12-week period does not impact on inflammatory, cartilage, and bone (bio)markers in healthy, active, middle-aged to elderly individuals.