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NCT Number: NCT06565520

Modulating Cortical Excitability to Improve Functional Movements in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain

This study sought to investigate whether modulation of cortical excitability of the gluteal musculature, via tDCS paired with exercise, will reduce the amount the knee caves in during functional tasks in individuals with PFP. The objective is the explore if having tDCS target the area of the brain controlling hip muscles, when paired with exercise, will be more effective in reducing the amount the knee caves in for individuals with PFP versus those who receive exercise alone as their treatment. The aim is to contribute our findings to the growing knowledge in this area in order to help establish the possibility, and feasibility, of its use in clinical settings to strengthen traditional treatments for this patient population.

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Key information

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada, 89154, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Kai Yu Ho

CONTACT

[email protected]

702-895-2629

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • are between 18 and 45 years old
  • have had patellofemoral pain (PFP; kneecap pain) on one side for at least 3 months, and 3) the knee does cave in when performing functional movements.

Exclusion criteria

  • do not have pain coming from the kneecap during screening;
  • have a history of knee injury or surgery,
  • have a history of seizures and/or taking anti-seizure medication,
  • have an implanted device that interacts with electric current,
  • have a history of balance disorder,
  • currently are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulator

Device

The total amount of participation time per qualified subject will be approximately 150 minutes over two sessions. The participant screening session will take approximately 30 minutes, which is an appropriate amount of time to complete all screening tasks. The tDCS and sham sessions will take approximately a total of 120 minutes over two sessions.

The first session will include a screening (30 minutes) to ensure they qualify for the study, followed by a treatment session (60 minutes): including non-invasive brain stimulation combined with hip strengthening exercises and functional movement testing at UNLV Maryland Campus. Subjects will return for a second treatment session (60 minutes) 2 weeks after the first.

Primary outcomes

  1. trunk lean angle

    Time frame: Baseline and Immediately after intervention

  2. knee frontal plane projection angle

    Time frame: Baseline and Immediately after intervention

  3. hip frontal plane projection angle

    Time frame: Baseline and Immediately after intervention

  4. dynamic valgus index

    Time frame: Baseline and Immediately after intervention

Study contacts

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

Kai Yu Ho, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

7028952629

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Modulating Cortical Excitability to Improve Functional Movements in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain: a Randomized Control Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 22, 2024
Registry last updated
Aug 22, 2024

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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