Assessing Lower Extremity Dynamic Stability in Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Using the Y-Balance Test

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common functional disorder of knee joint. Its etiology involves biomechanical abnormalities and dynamic stability defects. Most of the existing studies focus on young people, and the biomechanical characteristics and functional compensation mechanism of middle-aged and elderly patients are still unclear. The Y-Balance test is becoming an important tool in PFPS research because of its sensitivity to assess the dynamic balance ability of lower limbs. Objective: To analyze the functional characteristics of lower limbs of PFPS patients aged 40-60 by Y-Balance test, and to explore the differences between PFPS patients and healthy people, so as to provide evidence for clinical rehabilitation. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 49 PFPS patients and 21 healthy controls. Y-Balance test was used to evaluate bilateral forward difference, composite score, lateral and posterior balance, symmetry ratio and bilateral difference. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis.

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Key information

Conditions

Y-balance Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Age range

40 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Beijing

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100191, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Aged between 40 and 60 years
Clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain (PFP) with symptoms lasting ≥3 months
No other serious lower extremity disorders
No neurological diseases
No history of recent lower extremity surgery (<12 months)
No history of major lower extremity trauma
Control group: Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers without knee pain or lower limb dysfunction

Exclusion criteria

Acute inflammatory conditions Meniscus injury Knee ligament injury Intra-articular fracture Bone tumor Bone tuberculosis

Neurovascular injury including:

Stroke history
Parkinson's disease Subjective unwillingness to comply with testing Inability to complete Y-Balance Test

Serious systemic diseases affecting:

Cardiovascular system Hepatic function Renal function Hematological system

Treatment and study plan

Differences between lower limb balances were assessed by the Y-Balance test

Other

The Y-Balance test was used to evaluate bilateral anterior difference, composite score, lateral and posterior balance, symmetry ratio and bilateral difference

Primary outcomes

Analysis of Y-balance characteristics of patellofemoral pain syndrome

Time frame: Baseline

Outcome Measure Title:Y-Balance Test (YBT) Reach Distance (cm) - Comparison between Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) Patients (Aged 40-60 Years) and Healthy Controls Outcome Measure Description:The Y-Balance Test (YBT) was used to assess dynamic balance function of the lower limbs in participants.

Metrics Measured: The maximum reach distance (in centimeters, cm) achieved by participants in three directions (Anterior, Posteromedial, Posterolateral) during single-leg stance.

Data Summary:The average maximum reach distance (cm) from three valid trials was calculated for each direction, separately for the left and right legs.

Comparative Analysis: The average maximum reach distance (cm) in each direction for the left and right legs in the PFPS patient group (aged 40-60 years) were compared with the corresponding metrics in an age- and sex-matched group of healthy controls to analyze between-group differences.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Peking University Third Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Assessing Lower Extremity Dynamic Stability in Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Using the Y-Balance Test: A Cross-Sectional Study

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jul 16, 2025
Registry last updated: Jul 16, 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.

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