Patellofemoral Disorder, Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome, Patello Femoral Syndrome
Conditions
Keywords
Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Heat Therapy, Contrast Therapy, Otago Exercise Program
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.
Interventions
OTHERHeat therapy+Otago exercise program
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.
OTHERContrast therapy+ Otago exercise program
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.
Sponsors
Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Patients aged 18-40 years experiencing pain in the front of the knee, including the peripatellar or retropatellar areas. 2. Patient having pain severity a minimum value of 4-7 on the numeric pain rating scale. 3. Participants presenting with anterior knee pain persisting for three months or longer. 4. Pre- diagnosed patients with positive patellar compression and Grind tests. 5. Patients with lateral patellar tracking.
Exclusion criteria
1. Pain having a duration of less than three months or patients with previous knee surgeries. 2. Recent engagement in structured lower-limb exercise or rehabilitation interventions. 3. Patients with pregnancy, malignancy or any neurological dysfunctions.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling | 4 Weeks | Measured by a inelastic tape (Girth measurement) |
| Pain Intensity | 4 Weeks | 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 |
| Range Of Motion | 4 Weeks | Measured by a universal goniometer. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional limtations | 4 Weeks | The Lysholm scale is an 8-question survey initially developed to assess functional ability of knee following knee ligament injury. Subsequently, it was demonstrated to be valid for assessing patients with various knee pathologies. The scale measures multiple domains of knee function, including pain, dependence on supportive devices, instability, locking, joint swelling, gait abnormalities, stair climbing, and squatting ability |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed