Comparing Rehabilitation Programs for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT00445224

Last Updated: 2017-03-28

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 33 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2008-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2010-01-31

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Hip Progressive Resistive Exercises

Exercises targeting hip musculature such as hip abduction and hip external rotation that was progressed by increased resistance following typical progressive resistive exercise approach.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Hip Progressive Resistive Exercise

Intervention Type: 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

Exercises targeting quadriceps musculature such as quadriceps isometric setting, terminal knee extensions, and straight leg raises that was progressed by increased resistance following typical progressive resistive exercise approach..

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Quad Progressive Resistive Exercises

Intervention Type: 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.

Interventions

Hip Progressive Resistive Exercise

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.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Quad Progressive Resistive Exercises

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.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 15 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Timothy Uhl

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Timothy Uhl

Professor

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Timothy Uhl, PhD, ATC, PT

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

University of Kentucky

Locations

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Countries

United States

References

Dolak KL, Silkman C, Medina McKeon J, Hosey RG, Lattermann C, Uhl TL. Hip strengthening prior to functional exercises reduces pain sooner than quadriceps strengthening in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Aug;41(8):560-70. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.3499. Epub 2011 Jun 7.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 21654093 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

07-0138-F2L

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id