Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome, Patellofemoral Disorder, Patellofemoral Pain, PFP, Patellofemoral Pain (PFPS), Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome, PFPS
Conditions
Keywords
Electromyography, EMG, Kinesio Taping, McConnell Taping, Exercise Therapy, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Single-Leg Squat
Brief summary
The primary goal of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) is to evaluate whether Kinesio Taping versus McConnell Taping, when integrated into a standardized hip-knee strengthening and neuromuscular control program, produces significant effects in individuals aged 18-50 with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). The main question it aims to answer is: Does Kinesio Taping compared with McConnell Taping when both combined with a standardized hip-knee exercise program, produce different effects on quadriceps neuromuscular activation (VMO-VL sEMG), pain, functional knee pain, and dynamic knee valgus over a 6 week period intervention? Participants will be divided into three groups for comparison: the control group will receive a structured hip-knee physical therapy exercise program without any taping intervention, Kinesio Taping group with a standardized exercise program, and a McConnell Taping group with a standardized exercise program.
Detailed description
Kinesio Taping and McConnell Taping are commonly used as adjuncts to exercise therapy in the management of patellofemoral pain syndrome. Both techniques have been shown to improve pain and function in the short term; however, evidence directly comparing their long-term effects when combined with a standardized exercise program remains limited. Furthermore, the influence of taping modality on quadriceps muscle activation and lower-limb kinematic patterns during rehabilitation has not been fully established. Based on this, the investigators hypothesize that both interventions will improve clinical and neuromuscular outcomes.
Interventions
OTHERKinesio Taping
Kinesio Taping will be applied to the patellofemoral joint during a 6-week structured hip-knee exercise program.
OTHERMcConnell Taping
McConnell Taping will be applied to correct patellar alignment during a 6-week structured hip-knee exercise program.
OTHERExercise Therapy
A standardized hip-knee strengthening and neuromotor training program will be performed for 6 weeks.
Sponsors
Cairo University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Anterior or retropatellar pain for a minimum of 3 months during functional activities. * 18-50 years of age. * Minimum pain of 3/10 on the VAS score. * No LL physical therapy in the past 3 months.
Exclusion criteria
* Meniscal or ligamentous injury * Neurological or systemic conditions affecting proprioception, coordination and balance. * Spinal referred pain or rheumatoid arthritis. * Hip and ankle disorders.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VMO and VL Muscle Activation Amplitude | Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks). | Surface electromyography (sEMG) amplitude of the Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO) and Vastus Lateralis (VL) muscles recorded during a standardized single-leg squat task. Higher values indicate greater muscle activation. |
| VMO/VL Activation Ratio | Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks). | Ratio of VMO to VL electromyographic activity during a standardized single-leg squat task. The ideal VMO/VL ratio should be close or equal to 1; a ratio greater than 1 reflects higher VMO activation, while a ratio less than 1 reflects a greater VL activation. |
| VMO Onset Timing | Baseline to post-intervention (6 weeks). | Period from movement initiation to onset of VMO and VL activation, measured using sEMG during a standardized single-leg squat task; measured in ms. |
| VMO-VL Activation Delay | Baseline to post-intervention (6 weeks). | Difference in activation onset timing between the VMO and VL muscles during a standardized single-leg squat task, measured using sEMG; measured in ms. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity | Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks). | Task-specific pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain; measured during a standardized single-leg squat, reflecting pain experienced during functional loading. |
| Functional Knee Pain | Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks). | Knee-related symptoms and functional disability assessed using the Kujala Score (AKPS), ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicating better knee function and lower disability. |
| Dynamic Knee Valgus | Baseline and post intervention (6 weeks). | Frontal-plane projection angle in degrees, measured during a standardized single-leg squat to quantify lower-limb movement quality and dynamic knee control under functional load. |
Countries
Lebanon
Contacts
CONTACTAhmed El Melhat, PhD
CONTACTMohamad Ibrahim Baayoun, BSc
STUDY_DIRECTORAhmed El Melhat, PhD
Cairo University
Outcome results
None listed