Vibration on Patellofemoral Joint Pain After ACLR

NCT05501210 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2020.674
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a prevailing problem among sports participants, especially in non-contact sports. Studies have reported that 70-84% of ACL injuries are non-contact in nature, and movements like changing in direction while running, cutting and pivoting on a planted foot have resulted in a majority of ACL injuries. Even after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgeries, study has reported a 30-50% prevalence of developing patellofemoral joint (PFJ) pain in 1-2 years post-operation. Whole body vibration (WBV) therapy has been gaining attention as an effective method of training in recent years. It has been proved to have a positive effect on improving muscle strength, muscle activities, muscle power and loading during drop jump. Though duration of WBV may differ according to the effect of interest, several studies have had positive results with a 8 week WBV therapy in increasing muscle strength, proprioception, and post-ACLR knee functions. Further investigation on the underlying mechanism and possible application are to be continued to explore more possibilities with the WBV therapy.

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear; Patellofemoral Pain

Keywords

ACLR; Patellofemoral joint; Whole Body vibration; Knee function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change of The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Patellofemoral subscale (KOOS-PF)

  The KOOS-PF was developed to evaluate individuals or samples of individuals who present with anterior knee pain/patellofemoral pain and/or patellofemoral OA. It contains 11 items with 3 subscale : Stiffness, Pain, Quality of life (QOL).

  pre intervention and 8 weeks post intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Isokinetic muscle strength

  pre intervention and 8 weeks post intervention

• Muscle thickness

  pre intervention and 8 weeks post intervention

• The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

  pre intervention and 8 weeks post intervention

Study Arms (3)

WBV + PEMF Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients in "WBV + PEMF" and "WBV only" groups will be required to attend the WBV therapy session in Prince of Wales Hospital twice a week, for 8 weeks, fulfilling a total of 16 sessions. Patients in "WBV + PEMF" groups will receive PEMF after WBV session.

Device: WBV; Device: PEMF

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Subjects in control group will perform static squat, single leg squat and lunges without vibration.

WBV only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients in "WBV + PEMF" and "WBV only" groups will be required to attend the WBV therapy session in Prince of Wales Hospital twice a week, for 8 weeks, fulfilling a total of 16 sessions. Patients in "WBV" groups will not receive PEMF after WBV session.

Device: WBV

Interventions

WBV DEVICE

Whole body vibration (WBV) therapy

WBV + PEMF Group; WBV only

PEMF DEVICE

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF)

WBV + PEMF Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 to 60
• Unilateral ACLR
• Persisting PFJ pain
• Isolated symptomatic site or pathology

You may not qualify if:

• Age \> 60
• Bilateral ACLR
• Revision ACLR
• Any rheumatological diseases
• Previous contralateral knee injury
• Any knee osteoarthritis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chinese University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Knee Injuries; Leg Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Michael Tim-Yun Ong, Prof.

CONTACT

85235052723; michael.ong@cuhk.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants will be assigned into either vibration or control groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 22, 2022
• First Posted: August 15, 2022
• Study Start: March 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2029
• Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

HK (1)