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NCT Number: NCT02734030

Knee Extensor Muscle Properties in Young Women Symptomatic and Asymptomatic for Anterior Knee Pain

This study aims to compare the knee extensors' mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties between subjects affected by anterior knee pain and a healthy control group. The investigators hypothesis is that patients with anterior knee pain present a reduction in the knee extensors' mechanical, morphological and myoelectric properties due to chronic muscle inhibition produced by the syndrome. In addition, the study also aims to evaluate whether there are differences in methodology for application of the Interpolated Twitch Technique for evaluation of the quadriceps muscle inhibition by comparing the use of supramaximal electrical stimulation on the femoral nerve (gold standard) with stimulation on the motor point (new methodology) in healthy subjects and individuals affected by anterior knee pain. The investigators hypothesis is that the stimulation on the motor point is less discomfortable than on the femoral nerve and muscle inhibition results are less variable (with lower dispersion) due to such lower discomfort

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Key information

Conditions

Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Age range

20 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90690-200, Brazil

About this study

Participants were divided in two groups (control group, n=16 and anterior knee pain group, n=16). Prior to participation, informed consent was obtained from all subjects. The evaluation was performed at the lower limb with severe symptoms of anterior knee pain in the patients, and at the dominant limb in the control group. Quadriceps Muscle inhibition was estimated using the Interpolated Twitch Technique, which involves applying a single electrical twitch stimulation to the femoral nerve (gold standard) during a maximal isometric knee extensor contraction. Muscle inhibition measurements were obtained with the aid of a Grass S88 (Quincy, MA, USA.) Muscle Stimulator in combination with and isolation unit approved for human use. Isometric and isokinetic knee extensor torques were obtained with a Biodex System 3 dynamometer (Biodex Medical System, Shirley - NY, USA). Electromyographic muscle activity was measured with bipolar surface electrodes (Kendall, Meditrace - 100; Ag/AgCl) that were placed on the muscle bellies of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris. Muscle architecture was measured with a B-mode ultrasonographic system (SSD; Aloka Inc., Tokyo, Japan) with a linear-array probe (60 mm, 7.5MHz; Aloka). Single Leg Squat was used for clinical evaluation of the lower limb functionality.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Anterior Knee pain group:
  • Retropatellar or peripatellar knee pain in at least 2 of the following functional activities: stair ascent or descent, running, kneeling, squatting, prolonged sitting, jumping;
  • Score smaller than 85 points on the Kujala Questionnaire;
  • Physically active according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - short version)
  • Body mass index less than 30
  • Control group:
  • Knee pain-free females with no history of lower limb injuries

Exclusion criteria

  • Body mass index higher than 30
  • Sedentary subjects
  • Cardiovascular, neurological or cognitive disorders
  • Any cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, or metabolic disease that could represent an absolute contraindication or a contraindication to the performance of maximum strength tests
  • Previous surgery on lower limb
  • Participation in a strength-training programme or physiotherapy treatment for knee injuries in the past six months
  • Otherwise associated injury in the lower limb joints other than anterior knee pain syndrome
  • Pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Torque

    Time frame: Torque was measured during a single visit to the laboratory during the study.The evaluation was performed up to 5 months

    Torque is an expression of the muscular strength and was assessed by dynamometry.

  2. Muscular architecture

    Time frame: Muscle architecture was measured one time during the study. The evaluation was performed up to 5 months

    Muscular architecture (muscle thickness, pennation angle and fascicle length) was assessed by ultrasonography

  3. Muscle inhibition

    Time frame: Muscle inhibition was measured during a single visit to the laboratory during the study. The evaluation was performed up to 5 months

    Quadriceps muscle inhibition was assessed using the Interpolated Twitch Technique comparing the use of supramaximal electrical stimulation on the femoral nerve (gold standard) with stimulation on the motor point (new methodology).

  4. Muscular electrical activation

    Time frame: Muscular electrical activation was measured during a single visit to the laboratory during the study. The evaluation was performed up to 5 months

    Electrical activation was assessed by surface electromyography (EMG)

  5. Patellofemoral cartilage thickness

    Time frame: Patellofemoral cartilage thickness was measured one time during the study. The evaluation was performed up to 5 months

    Patellofemoral cartilage thickness were assessed by ultrasonography

  6. Single Leg Squat

    Time frame: Single leg squat performance was measured one time during the study. The evaluation was performed up to 5 months

    Single leg squat was measured with a video camera and allowed to determine lower limb functionality

Secondary outcomes

  1. Knee pain

    Time frame: Knee pain during the tests was measured after all knee extensor contractions. The evaluation was performed up to 5 months.

    Knee pain was measured with a Visual Analogue Scale

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Knee Extensor Muscle Inhibition and Neuromechanical and Morphological Properties in Young Women Symptomatic and Asymptomatic for Anterior Knee Pain

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Apr 12, 2016
Registry last updated
Oct 26, 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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