Patellar Tendon Physiotheraphy Acute Effects Trial

NCT07315906 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PTT-2025-DEU
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 84
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigated the acute effects of different physiotherapy interventions applied to the patellar tendon. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: deep friction massage, thermal agent application, quadriceps resistance exercise, or a control group. Each intervention was delivered in a single session. Outcomes of the study included changes in skin temperature, muscle strength, flexibility, and pulse rate. All measurements were taken immediately before the intervention and again immediately after, 15 minutes after, and 60 minutes after the intervention. The study was conducted with healthy adult volunteers. The results of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how different physiotherapy modalities acutely influence the patellar tendon region.

Conditions

Patellar Tendon

Keywords

patellar tendon; physiotheraphy; deep friction massage; thermal imaging; quadriceps exercise; muscle strength; thermography; flexibility; tendon temperature; healthy adults; tendon physiology; acute effects; knee biomechanics; patellar tendinitis; Patellar tendon pain; physical therapy modalities

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Skin Temperature Change

  Skin temperature of the patellar tendon region measured using infrared thermography at four time points to analyze acute thermal response.

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 15 minutes after, 60 minutes after

• Quadirceps Muscle Strength

  Isometric quadriceps muscle strength measured with a handheld dynamometer at four time points to assess acute changes following intervention.

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 15 minutes after, 60 minutes after

• Hamstring and Quadriceps Flexibility

  Flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstring assessed using a standardized stretching test at four time points to assess evaluate changes.

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 15 minutes after, 60 minutes after

• Dorsalis Pedis Pulse Rate

  Pulse rate measured by palpation at four time points (baseline, immediately after intervention, 15 minutes, and 60 minutes) to evaluate acute cardiovascular response to the intervention.

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 15 minutes after, 60 minutes after

Study Arms (4)

Deep Friction Massage

EXPERIMENTAL

A single session of deep friction massage applied directly to the patellar tendon

Other: Deep Friction Massage

Thermal Agent Application

EXPERIMENTAL

A locally applied superficial thermal agent delivered as a single session.

Other: Thermal Agent Application

Quadriceps Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

A single session of standardized quadriceps resistance exercise protocol.

Other: Quadriceps Exercise

Control

NO INTERVENTION

No treatment administered; participants remained at rest during the session.

Interventions

Thermal Agent Application OTHER

A single application of a thermal agent (hot pack) applied to the patellar tendon region.

Thermal Agent Application

Quadriceps Exercise OTHER

A single session of quadriceps resistance exercise targeting knee extensor muscles.

Quadriceps Exercise

Deep Friction Massage OTHER

A single session of deep friction massage applied directly to the patellar tendon.

Deep Friction Massage

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Ages 18 to 24 years
• Not having engaged in regular exercise training within the past 6 months
• Body Mass Index (BMI) below 30
• Ability to complete all assessment procedures
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of any systemic or musculoskeletal disorder
• Onset of pain during the assessment procedure
• History of knee joint or peri-articular injury within the past 6 months
• Presence of neurological, vascular, or rheumatological disease
• Any dermatological condition that may affect skin integrity

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dokuz Eylul University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir

Izmir, balçova, 35330, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

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

Model Details: Participants were assigned to one of four parallel groups, each receiving a single physiotherapy intervention or no intervention. The study used a randomized parallel design to compare acute responses among the four groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 21, 2025
• First Posted: January 5, 2026
• Study Start: April 25, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 20, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)