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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07775157

AI Based Telerehabilitation for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain in young, active adults and is often aggravated by prolonged sitting, stair use, squatting, and running. Exercise-based physiotherapy is the standard first-line treatment, but access to regular in-person supervision can be limited. This study compares two ways of delivering the same evidence-based exercise programme for PFPS: AI-based telerehabilitation, delivered remotely through the Physitrack platform with AI-assisted movement screening (MediaPipe), and conventional face-to-face physiotherapy. The study aimed to determine whether AI-based telerehabilitation is as effective as, or more effective than, conventional physiotherapy in reducing pain and improving physical function, and to evaluate how usable participants found the telerehabilitation platform

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Key information

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Faisalabad

Faisalabad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

About this study

This randomized controlled trial enrolled 48 individuals with PFPS (mean age 29.48 ± 6.40 years, range 19-40; 28 female, 20 male), screened using a structured demographic/SNAPPS questionnaire and an AI based movement screen built on Google's MediaPipe pose-estimation model, which tracked angle of knee. Eligible participants were randomly allocated using the gold-fish-bowl method to the Telerehabilitation Group (n=24; mean age 29.33 ± 6.75, 16 female/8 male) or the Conventional Physiotherapy group (n=24; mean age 29.63 ± 6.16, 12 female/12 male). Both groups followed an identical exercise protocol delivered three times weekly for four weeks (12 sessions of approximately 40-45 minutes). The Telerehabilitation Group received the programme remotely via the Physitrack platform and PhysiApp, including video-guided exercises, an AI-enabled assistant, remote monitoring, and messaging with the treating physiotherapist. The Conventional Physiotherapy group received the identical exercise content face to face in a physiotherapy clinic under direct therapist supervision. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks: pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS), knee function (Anterior Knee Pain/Kujala Scale, AKPS), knee-related quality of life (KOOS Patellofemoral Subscale, KOOS-PF), knee flexion/extension range of motion and quadriceps (Q) angle via goniometer, and for the telerehabilitation group only platform usability (Telehealth Usability Questionnaire, TUQ). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 22 using paired and independent-samples t-tests or their non-parametric equivalents as appropriate. All 48 randomized participants completed the trial with no dropout.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18 and 40 years.
  • Body mass index 18.5-24.9 kg/m².
  • Insidious (non-traumatic) onset of anterior knee pain, with positive Clark test.
  • Pain during at least two of: running, jumping, squatting, kneeling, walking up/down stairs, or prolonged sitting.
  • At least two positive clinical findings among apprehension test, patellar compression test, crepitus on compression, peripatellar tenderness, or pain on resisted knee extension.
  • SNAPPS questionnaire score ≥6.
  • Sitting in the same position >4 hours/day for over a year.
  • Knee pain for at least 1 month, with activity-related pain above mild on NPRS.
  • Access to a mobile phone and internet.

Exclusion criteria

Meniscal, ligamentous, or tendon injury of the knee.

  • Patellar fracture, subluxation, or dislocation.
  • Surgical or conservative treatment of the affected knee within the previous 6 months.
  • Neuromuscular, metabolic, or rheumatologic disorder.

Treatment and study plan

AI Based Telerehabilitation

Behavioral

A structured PFPS exercise protocol delivered remotely through the Physitrack platform and PhysiApp, supported by an AI-enabled movement assistant for screening/feedback, video demonstrations, progress tracking, and secure messaging with the treating physiotherapist. 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks.

Conventional Physiotherapy

Other

The identical PFPS exercise protocol delivered face-to-face by a certified physiotherapist in a clinical setting, with direct supervision, real-time correction of technique, and verbal feedback. 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline (Session 1) and post-treatment (Week 4, after 12th session)

    Measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale where 0 = "no pain" and 10 = "worst imaginable pain".

  2. Functional disability

    Time frame: Baseline (Session 1) and post-treatment (Week 4, after 12th session)

    Measured using the Anterior Knee Pain Scale and Kujala Questionnaire (AKPS), a 13-item, 0-100 self-report measure of patellofemoral pain and function.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Range of Motion

    Time frame: Baseline (Session 1) and post-treatment (Week 4, after 12th session)

    Active knee flexion, knee extension, and quadriceps (Q) angle measured with a universal goniometer.

  2. Telehealth Useability

    Time frame: Baseline (Session 1) and post-treatment (Week 4, after 12th session)

    Measured using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), a 21-item, 7-point measure of usefulness, ease of use, interface quality, reliability, and satisfaction.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Faisalabad

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness and Useability of AI Based Telerehabilitation on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Acronym: AITR-PFPS

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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