A Study on the Effectiveness of Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion Training in Patients With Patellofemoral Joint Pain.

NCT06958757 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TJUS2025-054
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is a common knee condition causing pain around the kneecap during activities like running or squatting. Limited ankle flexibility ("dorsiflexion" - how far participants can lift their toes toward the shin) may worsen PFP by altering leg movements. This study investigates whether adding ankle flexibility exercises to standard knee-strengthening programs improves outcomes for young adults with PFP. Active adults aged 18-30 with PFP and limited ankle flexibility (measured with a simple tool) are eligible, excluding those with prior knee/ankle surgeries, fractures, or conditions like arthritis. Sixty-four participants will be randomly assigned to either an Exercise + Ankle Training group (standard knee exercises plus targeted ankle training) or an Exercise-Only group for 8 weeks under physiotherapist guidance. Outcomes include improvements in knee pain scores (Kujala Scale), ankle flexibility changes, and muscle coordination measured with non-invasive sensors. If effective, ankle flexibility training could provide a low-cost addition to current treatments, helping patients resume activities with less pain. The study follows international ethical guidelines and has received preliminary ethics approval (No. TJUS-2025-054).

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain, PFP

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale

  Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).

• Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion

  Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• sEMG co-contraction ratios

  All outcome measures (sEMG co-contraction) ratios are assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completing the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).

Study Arms (2)

experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

standard exercise + ankle dorsiflexion training

Other: Standard Exercise Therapy + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training

control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

standard exercise only

Other: Standard Exercise Therapy Only

Interventions

Standard Exercise Therapy + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training OTHER

The experimental group receives: Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces). Ankle Dorsiflexion Training (15 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Mobilization techniques (posterior glides of the talus), Resistance band exercises (dorsiflexion against elastic bands), Progressive Achilles tendon stretching (weight-bearing calf stretches). Exercise progression (resistance/intensity) is adjusted biweekly based on functional assessments.

experimental group

Standard Exercise Therapy Only OTHER

Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces). Exercise progression (resistance/intensity) is adjusted biweekly based on functional assessments.

control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18-30 years
• Diagnosed with patellofemoral pain (PFP) per clinical guidelines (anterior knee pain aggravated by ≥2 activities: running, squatting, stair climbing)
• Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) \<10° (measured via goniometer in weight-bearing)
• BMI 18.5-28 kg/m²
• Engage in regular physical activity (≥3 sessions/week)

You may not qualify if:

• Ankle fractures
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout, or systemic diseases
• Prior knee/ankle surgeries
• Concurrent lower limb injuries (e.g., ligament tears, meniscal pathology)
• Neurological disorders affecting mobility
• Participation in other lower limb rehabilitation programs within 3 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tianjin University of Sport: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Central Study Contacts

yuan wu

CONTACT

+8615750642556; 15750642556@163.com

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: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 19, 2025
• First Posted: May 6, 2025
• Study Start: May 6, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 10, 2025
• Study Completion: September 10, 2025
• Last Updated: May 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share