Adjunctive Effects of Heat vs Contrast Therapy With Otago Exercises on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

NCT07293195 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: LCPT/DPT/ERB/31U1111-1332-0257
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the adjunctive effects of heat therapy and contrast therapy when combined with the Otago exercise program in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome aged 18 to 40 years. The study aims to assess whether these interventions can help reduce pain and swelling, improve knee range of motion, and decrease functional limitations associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Researchers will compare two groups one receiving heat therapy with the Otago exercise program and the other receiving contrast therapy with the Otago exercise program to see which approach provides greater improvement in outcomes. Participants will undergo regular supervised sessions that include the assigned thermal therapy and a structured set of Otago exercises targeting lower limb strength, balance, and mobility.

Conditions

Patellofemoral Disorder; Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome; Patello Femoral Syndrome

Keywords

Patellofemoral pain syndrome; Heat Therapy; Contrast Therapy; Otago Exercise Program

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Swelling

  Measured by a tape (Girth measurement)

  4 Weeks

• Pain Intensity

  Assessed by using the NPRS scale. 0-4 scored as No pain to mild pain 5-7 scored as Moderate pain 8-10 scored as Severe pain

  4 Weeks

• Range Of Motion

  Measured by a universal goniometer.

  4 Weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Functional limtations

  4 Weeks

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group: Heat therapy with Otago exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Heat Therapy: * Frequency: 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks * Intensity: Mild to moderate heat (40°C) * Time: 15 minutes/session * Type: Passive superficial heat via electrical hot pack Otago Exercise Program: * Frequency: 3 sessions/week supervised + daily home exercise for 4 weeks * Intensity: Progressively increasing strength and balance * Time: 30 minutes/session (includes warm-up and cool-down) * Type: Functional, strength, and balance exercises for lower limbs Routine Physical Therapy (Medial Patellar Mobilization): * Frequency: 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks * Intensity: Gentle grade I/II mobilization * Time: 3 sets of 10 repetitions * Type: Passive sustained medial glides of patella

Other: Heat therapy+Otago exercise program; Other: Contrast therapy+ Otago exercise program

Active Experimental Group: Contrast therapy with Otago exercises

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Contrast Therapy: * Frequency: 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks * Intensity: Heat (38-40°C) and cold (12-14°C) * Time: 15 minutes/session (4 min heat + 1 min cold cycles) * Type: Alternating hot/cold packs Otago Exercise Program: * Frequency: 3 sessions/week supervised + daily home exercise for 4 weeks * Intensity: Progressively increasing strength and balance * Time: 30 minutes/session (includes warm-up and cool-down) * Type: Functional, strength, and balance exercises for lower limbs Routine Physical Therapy (Medial Patellar Mobilization): * Frequency: 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks * Intensity: Gentle grade I/II mobilization * Time: 3 sets of 10 repetitions * Type: Passive sustained medial glides of patella

Other: Heat therapy+Otago exercise program

Interventions

Contrast therapy+ Otago exercise program OTHER

Contrast therapy (CT), a commonly used thermal treatment, is gaining attention as a non-invasive option for managing knee pain. By alternating between heat and cold, CT helps stimulate circulation, reduce swelling, and ease joint stiffness. While it has shown benefits in other knee conditions, its potential role in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is still not well established.

Experimental Group: Heat therapy with Otago exercises

Heat therapy+Otago exercise program OTHER

Heat therapy is a non-surgical technique being recognized for its application in knee pain management. HT enhances blood flow, alleviates pain, and aids tissue repair. It have been effective in knee osteoarthritis but have yet to be fully explored for the treatment of PFPS.

Also known as: Hot pack, Electrical Hot pack

Active Experimental Group: Contrast therapy with Otago exercises; Experimental Group: Heat therapy with Otago exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Participants having age group between 18 and 40 years with anterior, retropatellar, or peripatellar pain with at least severity of 3/10 on the numerical pain rating scale.
• Participants who have reported anterior knee pain for at least three months during at least two of the following activities: seating for prolonged periods of time; ascending and descending stairs; squatting; running and jumping, or have had experienced crepitus (popping, or crackling) while walking or running, pain on palpation, insidious pain lasting at least two months.
• Positive patellar compression and Grind tests.
• Clinical evidence of lateral patellar tracking, given its established role in patellofemoral joint dysfunction.
• Pain produced by at least two of the following four tests: (i) isometric muscle contraction with a mild bent knee, (ii) patellofemoral joint line palpation, (iii) compression of patella against the femur and (iv) active resisted knee extension were enrolled in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Pain lasting less than three months, previous knee operations, meniscal lesions, patellar instability (subluxation/dislocation), clinical evidence of tendinopathy or ligamentous injury, fractures or dislocations involving the pelvis, spinal surgical history, osteoporosis, pregnancy, neurological diseases or radiological findings of chondromalacia beyond grade 2 on MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray.
• Recent participation in lower-limb rehabilitation or structured training within six weeks, or prior diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or other rheumatic knee disorders.
• Use of NSAIDs in the preceding four weeks, prior history of cancer, infection, psychiatric conditions, cognitive impairment, autoimmune pathology, or neurological dysfunction likely to interfere with walking ability.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 57000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Hyperthermia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Body Temperature Changes; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Heat Stress Disorders; Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 6, 2025
• First Posted: December 19, 2025
• Study Start: December 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 10, 2026
• Study Completion: May 12, 2026
• Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, CSR
• Time Frame: 6 months
• Access Criteria: Researcher, Layman,

Locations

PA (1)