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NCT Number: NCT07445607

"Mulligan Technique vs Phonophoresis With Chitosan for Patellofemoral Pain"

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition causing pain and dysfunction. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two physical therapy treatments for PFPS: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique versus phonophoresis with chitosan gel.

Forty-five participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) Mulligan technique group, (2) Phonophoresis with chitosan gel group, or (3) Control group receiving standard physical therapy exercises. Each group will receive treatment 3 times per week for 4 weeks.

The researchers want to determine which treatment is more effective in improving neuromuscular control, reducing pain, and improving function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Participants will be assessed before and after the treatment period.

This study may help physical therapists and healthcare providers choose the most effective treatment approach for patients with patellofemoral pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Insidious onset of anterior knee pain
  • Retro patellar or peripatellar pain
  • Pain duration more than four weeks (chronic/subacute)
  • Pain severity ≥ 3/10 on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
  • Pain during at least two of the following activities: stair ascent or descent, squatting, prolonged sitting (theater sign), or kneeling
  • Positive patellar compression test (pain reproduced by compressing the patella into the trochlear groove)
  • Patellar tenderness along the medial or lateral borders
  • Age between 18 and 35 years
  • Baseline Kujala score (Arabic version): approximately 67-71 (indicating moderate to severe dysfunction)

Exclusion criteria

  • Traumatic injury (e.g., dislocation, fracture, ligament or meniscus pathology)
  • Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout)
  • Prior knee surgery
  • Current use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids

Treatment and study plan

Mulligan technique

Procedure

Each mobilization with movement (MWM) is performed in three sets of 10 repetitions, with a 30-second rest interval between sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, before hip and knee strengthening exercises.

Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel

Procedure

Phonophoresis (ultrasound with chitosan gel) is applied at 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm², continuous mode, for 5 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks before hip and knee exercises.

Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program

Behavioral

Participants attend 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session includes stretching and hip and knee focused exercises. Progression involves weekly increases in repetitions and resistance based on pain levels (less than 3/10).

Primary outcomes

  1. Maximal rate of force development (RFD)

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks

    Calculated from the slope of force- or torque-time curves obtained during rapid, explosive voluntary contractions also termed ballistic or rapid actions has become a key metric for assessing explosive strength in diverse populations, including athletes, older adults, and clinical patients

  2. Pain at patella

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks

    Pain measured using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS). The scale ranges from 0 to 100 points, with 0 indicating maximum disability and 100 indicating no disability. Higher scores indicate better outcome (less pain and better function)

Study contacts

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

Mennat-Allah Ali Elshafey, Master degree

CONTACT

[email protected]

+201227232387

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ahram Canadian University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Mulligan Technique Vs Phonophoresis With Chitosan Gel on Neuromuscular Control in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Acronym: "MTPP"

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 3, 2026

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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