Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not Yet Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06958757

A Study on the Effectiveness of Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion Training in Patients With Patellofemoral Joint Pain.

Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is a common knee condition causing pain around the kneecap during activities like running or squatting. Limited ankle flexibility ("dorsiflexion" - how far participants can lift their toes toward the shin) may worsen PFP by altering leg movements. This study investigates whether adding ankle flexibility exercises to standard knee-strengthening programs improves outcomes for young adults with PFP. Active adults aged 18-30 with PFP and limited ankle flexibility (measured with a simple tool) are eligible, excluding those with prior knee/ankle surgeries, fractures, or conditions like arthritis. Sixty-four participants will be randomly assigned to either an Exercise + Ankle Training group (standard knee exercises plus targeted ankle training) or an Exercise-Only group for 8 weeks under physiotherapist guidance. Outcomes include improvements in knee pain scores (Kujala Scale), ankle flexibility changes, and muscle coordination measured with non-invasive sensors. If effective, ankle flexibility training could provide a low-cost addition to current treatments, helping patients resume activities with less pain. The study follows international ethical guidelines and has received preliminary ethics approval (No. TJUS-2025-054).

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain, PFP Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18-30 years
  • Diagnosed with patellofemoral pain (PFP) per clinical guidelines (anterior knee pain aggravated by ≥2 activities: running, squatting, stair climbing)
  • Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) <10° (measured via goniometer in weight-bearing)
  • BMI 18.5-28 kg/m²
  • Engage in regular physical activity (≥3 sessions/week)

Exclusion criteria

  • Ankle fractures
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Gout, or systemic diseases
  • Prior knee/ankle surgeries
  • Concurrent lower limb injuries (e.g., ligament tears, meniscal pathology)
  • Neurological disorders affecting mobility
  • Participation in other lower limb rehabilitation programs within 3 months

Treatment and study plan

Standard Exercise Therapy + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training

Other

The experimental group receives:

Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces).

Ankle Dorsiflexion Training (15 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Mobilization techniques (posterior glides of the talus), Resistance band exercises (dorsiflexion against elastic bands), Progressive Achilles tendon stretching (weight-bearing calf stretches).

Exercise progression (resistance/intensity) is adjusted biweekly based on functional assessments.

Standard Exercise Therapy Only

Other

Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces).

Exercise progression (resistance/intensity) is adjusted biweekly based on functional assessments.

Primary outcomes

  1. Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale

    Time frame: Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).

  2. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion

    Time frame: Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).

Secondary outcomes

  1. sEMG co-contraction ratios

    Time frame: All outcome measures (sEMG co-contraction) ratios are assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completing the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

yuan wu

CONTACT

[email protected]

+8615750642556

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tianjin University of Sport

Other

Registry information

Official study title

This RCT Included 64 Participants (18-30y) With PFP, Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM <10°, and BMI 18.5-28 kg/m². Exclusions: Ankle Fractures, Achilles Rupture, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Systemic Diseases, or Prior Knee/Ankle Surgeries. Randomized to Two Groups (n=32/Group): Experimental (Standard Exercise + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training) vs Control (Standard Exercise Only) at Matched Intensity/Frequency for 8 Weeks. Outcomes: VAS Pain, Kujala Scale, Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM. Certified Physiotherapists Supervise Sessions. Data Analyzed With SPSS 26.0. The Protocol Complies With the Helsinki Declaration.

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 6, 2025
Registry last updated
May 6, 2025

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.