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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00445224

Comparing Rehabilitation Programs for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases

Age range

15 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky, 40506, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Hip Progressive Resistive Exercise

Other

Hip Progressive Resistance Exercise program will be carried out by subjects under supervision once a week and then performed at home 2 additional times at home without supervision. Exercises focus on strengthening hip abduction ad external rotation musculature.

Quad Progressive Resistive Exercises

Other

Quad Progressive Resistive Exercise program will be carried out by subjects under supervision once a week and then performed at home 2 additional times at home without supervision. Exercises focus on strengthening quadriceps musculature with straight leg raises and quadriceps isometrics.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analog Pain Scale (Describing Worst Pain Felt During the Past Week)

    Time frame: weekly

    0 to 10 cm line with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing severe pain

  2. Subjective Function by Lower Extremity Functional Scale Report Form

    Time frame: Baseline, Mid-Intervention, and Post-Intervention

  3. Visual Analog Pain Scale

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Strength by Isometric Dynamometer

    Time frame: Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention

  2. Neuromuscular Activity by Surface Electromyographical Amplitude During Stair Descent

    Time frame: Baseline, Mid and Post-Intervention

  3. Objective Function by Step-down Task for 30 Seconds

    Time frame: Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention

  4. Hip Abduction Strength

    Time frame: 8 week

    Side lying Hip Abduction maximal muscular contraction with a hand held dynamometer

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Timothy Uhl

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of Early Hip Strengthening to Early Quadriceps Strengthening in the Treatment of Females With Patellofemoral Pain

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Mar 8, 2007
Registry last updated
Mar 28, 2017

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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