PFPS
Conditions
Keywords
PFP, rehabilitation, digital health
Brief summary
This randomized controlled superiority trial will compare a 6-week digital health rehabilitation program with a 6-week self-guided exercise program in adults with patellofemoral pain. Assessments will be performed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 18 weeks. The primary outcome will be change in AKPS from baseline to 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity, self-reported function, psychological outcomes, quality of life, muscle strength, adherence, and adverse events.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDigital health
Participants will receive a 6-week digital health program delivered through a smartphone application mini-program. The intervention will include: * PFP education (condition information, pain management, load management, and activity advice) * Progressive exercise advancement according to pain response and performance * Video demonstration and structured session guidance * Symptom tracking and exercise logging * Automated reminders and adherence support * Remote therapist feedback when required
BEHAVIORALSelf-guided exercise
Participants will receive a 6-week self-guided home exercise program with initial instruction delivered in printed format. Participants will be advised to perform the exercises independently at home. No ongoing digital supervision, tailored feedback, or structured adherence prompts will be provided.
Sponsors
Chengdu Sport University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18-45 years * Clinical diagnosis of patellofemoral pain * Symptoms for at least 3 months * Anterior or retropatellar knee pain provoked by at least two aggravating activities such as stair ambulation, squatting, running, jumping, or prolonged sitting * Baseline pain intensity of at least 3/10 on the Numeric Rating Pain Scale * Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures
Exclusion criteria
* Previous knee surgery * Patellar dislocation or obvious instability * Ligament injury, clinically important meniscal injury, moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, or other major structural knee pathology * Major hip, ankle, or lumbar disorders substantially affecting lower-limb function * Neurological disorders affecting movement or balance * Pregnancy * Structured PFP rehabilitation within the previous 3 months * Any other condition deemed unsuitable by the investigators
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Anterior Knee Pain Scale | Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score | Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks |
| Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia | Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks |
| Pain Catastrophizing Scale | Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks |
| Muscle strength | Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks |
Contacts
CONTACTWei-Yang Zhang
Outcome results
None listed