Effect of Lower Back Treatment in People With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if a lower back treatment would change the knee pain intensity and the level of functional activities as well as the muscle activities in people with anterior knee pain. The investigators hypothesized that the lower back treatment may change the hip and knee muscle activities as well as reduce the knee pain intensity and improve the functional activities in people with anterior knee pain.

Official Title
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Effect of Lumbopelvic Manipulation on Hip and Knee Neuromuscular Activity, Pain Intensity, and Functional Activity in People With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Conditions
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Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Lumbopelvic Manipulation
* Other: Passive lumbar spine flexion and extension


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Insidious onset of symptoms of non-traumatic origin. Pain with patellar facet palpation or compression. anterior or retropatellar knee pain during at least two of the following activities: (a) ascending stairs, (b) descending stairs, (c) kneeling, (d) squatting, (e) hopping, (f) running, (j) jumping, (h) prolonged sitting for more than 20 minutes. Exclusion Criteria: History of spine, hip or knee surgery. History of hip pathology or other knee condition. Current significant injury of any lower extremity joints. Pregnancy. Sign of nerve root compression. Osteoporosis or history of compression fracture.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Lumbopelvic Manipulation<br>Participants in this group will receive lumboplevic manipulation twice within a week. | Other: Lumbopelvic Manipulation<br>* High-velocity low-amplitude non-specific lumbopelvic thrust manipulation<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Passive lumbar spine flexion and extension<br>Participants in this group will receive passive lumbar spine flexion and extension for 1 min twice within a week. | Other: Passive lumbar spine flexion and extension<br>* Passive lumbar spine flexion and extension without reaching the physiological end feel for 1 min from a side lying position.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Electromyography (EMG) of the hip and knee muscle | EMG unit will be used to study the hip and knee muscle activities. | The EMG data will be collected within one week for all participants in both groups. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) |  | The pain VAS data will be collected within one week for all participants in both groups | 
| Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) |  | The LEFS data will be collected within one week for all participants in both groups. |