Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
Conditions
Interventions
Intervention 1: Intervention group: complementary treatments including electrical stimulation with a TENS device to reduce pain and improve function, therapeutic exercises aimed at strengthening and s
Sponsors
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Age of participants: Between 18 and 50 years Diagnosis: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) confirmed by a physician, based on clinical examination and medical history Symptoms: Unilateral knee pain during at least two of the following activities: prolonged sitting with the knee flexed, squatting, kneeling, running, ascending or descending stairs, jumping, or landing Pain intensity: Greater than 3 out of 10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Duration of symptoms: Minimum of 3 months No recent acute injury to the lower limb within the past 3 months Ability to regularly attend treatment sessions or assessments throughout the study period No intake of systemic analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within 48 hours prior to assessment No specific physiotherapy treatment for PFPS within the last 3 months (to minimize potential bias in study outcomes)
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: History of meniscal injury (tear or degeneration confirmed by MRI or clinical examination) Presence of moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis (based on clinical diagnosis or radiological evidence) Previous history of patellar dislocation History of knee fracture, with or without internal fixation (IF) Any prior knee surgery, including arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, or joint fluid drainage Presence of patellar tendinopathy Structural deformities of the lower limb that alter the mechanical alignment of the leg (e.g., genu valgum, genu varum, or leg length discrepancy) Referred pain from the lumbar spine or pelvis (e.g., radiculopathy or facet joint syndrome) History of joint infection (septic arthritis) in the knee Use of knee brace or orthosis in the past 6 months History of skin hypersensitivity to brace materials or kinesiotape
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Pain. Timepoint: Pre-treatment and post-treatment. Method of measurement: Pain intensity will be measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). NPRS is a commonly used tool for assessing pain intensity in clinical settings. According to this scale, participants will be asked to rate their knee pain during the past 24 hours on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain).;Knee function. Timepoint: Pre and post treatment. Method of measurement: Knee function will be assessed using the KUJALA questionnaire. This questionnaire is a valid and specific self-reported tool for evaluating symptom severity and knee function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. It consists of 13 items with a maximum score of 100; higher scores indicate better function and lower levels of pain or disability. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Thickness of the vastus lateralis muscle. Timepoint: Pre and post treatment. Method of measurement: In this study, an ultrasound device (Honda Co., Japan) with a frequency of 7.5 MHz and a 5-cm linear probe will be used. To measure the thickness of the target muscles, it will first be ensured that the examined limb remains stable. Participants will be positioned in a supine position with knees fully extended (extension) and relaxed on the examination table. The probe, after applying an adequate amount of ultrasound gel, will be placed horizontally on the target area. For the vastus lateralis muscle, the probe will be positioned on the lateral side of the same region.;Fiber angle of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle. Timepoint: Pre and post treatment. Method of measurement: In this study, an ultrasound device (Honda Co., Japan) with a frequency of 7.5 MHz and a 5-cm linear probe will be used. To measure the thickness of the target muscles, it will first be ensured that the examined limb remains stable. Participants will be positioned in a supine position with knees fully extended (extension) and relaxed on the examination table. The probe, after applying an adequate amount of ultrasound gel, will be placed horizontally on the target area, and for the assessment of the fiber angle of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, the probe will be positioned on the medial aspect of the patella.;Fiber angle of the vastus lateralis muscle. Timepoint: Pre and post treatment. Method of measurement: In this study, an ultrasound device (Honda Co., Japan) with a frequency of 7.5 MHz and a 5-cm linear probe will be used. To measure the thickness of the target muscles, it will first be ensured that the examined limb remains stable. Participants will be positioned in a supine position with knees fully extended (extension) and relaxed on the examination table. The probe, after applying an adequate amount of ultrasound gel, will be placed horizontally on the target area, and fo | — |
Countries
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Contacts
Public Contactmaryam salati momen
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Outcome results
None listed