Comparison of Two Protocols for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is defined as a painful complaint in the anterior aspect of the knee, although peripatellar pain and / or retropatellar are also common. In general, conservative treatment is the initial option of choice for patients with PFPS, however, the lack of a specific causal factor makes it difficult to choose the best treatment so early. This way, the purpose of this study is investigate the effects of the quadriceps femoris strengthening versus hamstring stretching in patients with pattellofemoral pain.

Official Title
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Quadriceps Femoris Strengthening Versus Hamstring Stretching for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Conditions
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Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Stretching Hamstring
* Other: Quadriceps Strengthening


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Symptoms of anterior knee pain for at least 1 moth; Average pain level of 3 or more on a 10-cm visual analogue scale during stepping up and down a 25-cm height; Anterior or retropatellar knee pain on at least 2 of the following activities: prolonged sitting, climbing stairs, squatting, running, kneeling, and hopping/jumping; Presence of 2 of the following clinical criteria on assessment: pain during apprehension test, pain during the patellar compression test, and crepitation during the compression test. Exclusion Criteria: Previous knee surgery or arthritis; History of patellar dislocation or subluxation, malalignment, or ligament laxity; Patellar tendon pathology or chondral damage; Spinal referred pain; History of other abnormalities such as leg length inequalities (>2 cm); Medication as a part of the treatment; Previous physical therapy or acupuncture treatment for the knee within the previous 30 days.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 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: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Quadriceps Strengthening<br> | Other: Quadriceps Strengthening<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: Stretching Hamstring<br> | Other: Stretching Hamstring<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Numeric Pain Rating Scale | Pain was assessed using an 11-point numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), on which 0 denoted an absence of pain and 10 denoted unbearable pain. | Participants will be followed for the duration of 8 weeks. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lysholm Scale | This questionnaire is made up of eight items with objective response options. The final score is expressed in nominal and ordinal form, as follows: 95 to 100 points - excellent; 84 to 94 points - good; 65 to 83 points - fair; and 64 or fewer points - poor. | Participants will be followed for the duration of 8 weeks. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pattelofemoral pain syndrome, Stretching, Strengthening