Clinical Trial: Comparing Rehabilitation Programs for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Comparison of Early Hip Strengthening to Early Quadriceps Strengthening in the Treatment of Females With Patellofemoral Pain

Brief Summary: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee disorder affecting physically active people. Despite the growing base of support for the early introduction of hip strengthening exercises into the rehabilitation of PFPS, there have been few randomized clinical trials comparing isolated hip to isolated quadriceps strengthening. The purpose of this study is to determine how different exercises affect pain, strength, muscle activity, and function in female subjects with patellofemoral pain. The researchers hypothesize that females diagnosed with PFPS who initially participate in a hip strengthening program will report a greater perceived level of function, greater strength, less pain, and improved neuromuscular activity than those who participate in a progressive quadriceps strengthening intervention.

Detailed Summary: Methods: Thirty-three females with PFPS will perform either initial hip strengthening (hip group) or initial quadriceps strengthening (quad group) for 4 weeks, prior to 4 weeks of a similar program of functional weight-bearing exercises. Self-reported pain, function, and functional strength were measured. Isometric strength was assessed for hip abductors, external rotators, and knee extensors. A mixed-model analysis of variance will be used to determine group differences over time.
Sponsor: Timothy Uhl

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Visual Analog Pain Scale (Describing Worst Pain Felt During the Past Week) [ Time Frame: weekly ]
    0 to 10 cm line with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing severe pain
  • Subjective Function by Lower Extremity Functional Scale Report Form [ Time Frame: Baseline, Mid-Intervention, and Post-Intervention ]
  • Visual Analog Pain Scale [ Time Frame: 8 week ]
    Visual analog pain scale at end of intervention. 0 to 10 cm line with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing severe pain


Original Primary Outcome:

  • Pain on visual analog scale
  • Subjective Function by Lower Extremity Functional Scale Report Form


Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Strength by Isometric Dynamometer [ Time Frame: Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention ]
  • Neuromuscular Activity by Surface Electromyographical Amplitude During Stair Descent [ Time Frame: Baseline, Mid and Post-Intervention ]
  • Objective Function by Step-down Task for 30 Seconds [ Time Frame: Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention ]
  • Hip Abduction Strength [ Time Frame: 8 week ]
    Side lying Hip Abduction maximal muscular contraction with a hand held dynamometer


Original Secondary Outcome:

  • Strength by Isometric Dynamometer
  • Neuromuscular Activity by Surface Electromyographical Amplitude During Stair Descent
  • Objective Function by Step-down Task for 30 Seconds


Information By: University of Kentucky

Dates:
Date Received: March 6, 2007
Date Started: January 2008
Date Completion:
Last Updated: February 25, 2017
Last Verified: February 2017