The Effectiveness of Two Physiotherapy Protocols in the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

NCT07396948 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: KB/134/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain in young and active individuals. PFPS is characterized by anterior knee pain. The treatment of choice is conservative management. However, there is still lack of widely accepted physiotherapeutic strategies aimed at alleviating patellofemoral pain. The outcomes of conservative treatment remain unsatisfactory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two physiotherapy protocols based on manual therapy and muscle training in the treatment of patellofemoral pain

Conditions

Patellofemoral Disorder

Keywords

patellofemoral pain syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• AKPS score

  6 weeks

• VAS scale

  6 weeks

Study Arms (3)

training protocol

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Training protocol with three exercises

Other: training protocol

medial patellar mobilization

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: medial patellar mobilization

quadriceps muscle stretching

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: quadriceps muscle stretching

Interventions

medial patellar mobilization OTHER

Patellar mobilization was carried out three times for 60 seconds each session \[19\]. The technique was performed by placing the therapist's thumbs on the lateral edge of the patella allowing a patellar glide in the medial and slightly caudal direction. The aim of this technique was to stretch the lateral patellar retinaculum

medial patellar mobilization

quadriceps muscle stretching OTHER

In order to perform this technique the patient was positioned prone on a treatment table (Figure 6). The non-stretched limb remained on the ground, flexed at the hip and knee. Moving this limb forward ensured proper aligment of the lumbar spine, while elevating the heel and placing it on the therapist's foot reduced tension in the hamstring group. Proper execution of the technique could be performed when the pelvis was aligned parallel to the surface, keeping the trunk and thigh of the stretched limb in one line. The therapist grasped by ipsilateral hand the distal third of the patient's lower leg and pulled the heel toward the buttock while by the contralateral hand stabilized the pelvis. The static position of stretching was maintained for 30 seconds in every repetition.

quadriceps muscle stretching

training protocol OTHER

The training protocol included the following exercise: glute bridges, half squat, rear lunges, side walk with elastic band

training protocol

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Gdansk: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Piotr Łuczkiewicz, prof.

CONTACT

600 905 075; plucz@gumed.edu.pl

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: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2026
• First Posted: February 9, 2026
• Study Start: January 22, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01