Comparing Rehabilitation Programs for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

• Registration Number: NCT00445224
• Lead Sponsor: Timothy Uhl

Brief Summary

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee disorder affecting physically active people. Despite the growing base of support for the early introduction of hip strengthening exercises into the rehabilitation of PFPS, there have been few randomized clinical trials comparing isolated hip to isolated quadriceps strengthening. The purpose of this study is to determine how different exercises affect pain, strength, muscle activity, and function in female subjects with patellofemoral pain. The researchers hypothesize that females diagnosed with PFPS who initially participate in a hip strengthening program will report a greater perceived level of function, greater strength, less pain, and improved neuromuscular activity than those who participate in a progressive quadriceps strengthening intervention.

Detailed Description

Methods: Thirty-three females with PFPS will perform either initial hip strengthening (hip group) or initial quadriceps strengthening (quad group) for 4 weeks, prior to 4 weeks of a similar program of functional weight-bearing exercises. Self-reported pain, function, and functional strength were measured. Isometric strength was assessed for hip abductors, external rotators, and knee extensors. A mixed-model analysis of variance will be used to determine group differences over time.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2007-03-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-03-07
• Study First Posted: 2007-03-08
• Study Start: 2008-01
• Primary Completion: 2010-01
• Study Completion: 2010-01
• Results First Submitted: 2010-01-28
• Results First Submitted QC: 2010-08-04
• Results First Posted: 2010-08-05
• Status Verified: 2017-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-02-25
• Last Update Posted: 2017-03-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 33

Inclusion Criteria

• anterior or retropatellar knee pain reported during at least 2 of the following activities: ascending and descending stairs, hopping and running, squatting, kneeling, and prolonged sitting
• insidious onset of symptoms not related to trauma
• pain with compression of the patella
• pain on palpation of the patellar facets

Exclusion Criteria

• symptoms present for less than one month
• clinical evidence of other knee pathology
• history of recent knee surgery within past one year
• history of patellar dislocations or subluxations
• current significant injury affecting other lower extremity joints

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Subjective Function by Lower Extremity Functional Scale Report Form	Baseline, Mid-Intervention, and Post-Intervention
Visual Analog Pain Scale (Describing Worst Pain Felt During the Past Week)	weekly	0 to 10 cm line with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing severe pain
Visual Analog Pain Scale	8 week	Visual analog pain scale at end of intervention. 0 to 10 cm line with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing severe pain

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Strength by Isometric Dynamometer	Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention
Neuromuscular Activity by Surface Electromyographical Amplitude During Stair Descent	Baseline, Mid and Post-Intervention
Hip Abduction Strength	8 week	Side lying Hip Abduction maximal muscular contraction with a hand held dynamometer
Objective Function by Step-down Task for 30 Seconds	Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Kentucky; 🇺🇸 Lexington, Kentucky, United States