Clinical trial NCT06131710: Effects of Proximal Strengthening Exercises in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Among Basketball Players
Official title: Effects of Proximal Strengthening Exercises on Pain and Function in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Among Basketball Players
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Patellofemoral Syndrome
Keywords: Clamshell
Isolated exercise
Pain
Patellofemoral syndrome
Squat
Lead sponsor: Riphah International University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2023-11-14
Enrollment: 32
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 40
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This research study aims to compare the effectiveness of two different exercise approaches in treating Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) in basketball players. It employs a randomized clinical trial with 32 participants aged 18-40 diagnosed with PFPS. The participants are divided into two groups: Isolated Strengthening Exercises (ISE) and Combined Strengthening Exercises (CSE). The ISE group focuses solely on quadriceps strengthening exercises, while the CSE group incorporates both quadriceps and proximal strengthening exercises for the hip and core muscles. Outcome measures include pain levels, functionality, and physical performance assessments recorded at baseline and after 6 weeks. Statistical analysis using independent t-tests in SPSS will determine which approach is more effective. This study seeks to provide evidence on whether the combination of proximal strengthening exercises enhances the reduction of pain and improvement in functionality for basketball players with PFPS, compared to isolated strengthening exercises alone.

Detailed description: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition that affects basketball players and can lead to significant pain and functional limitations. The syndrome involves pain around or behind the patella (kneecap) due to malalignment and abnormal tracking of the patella within the femoral groove. Isolated strengthening exercises targeting the quadriceps have been widely recommended as a treatment approach for PFPS. However, recent research suggests that incorporating proximal strengthening exercises, focusing on the hip and core muscles, may enhance treatment outcomes. This study aims to investigate the comparative effectiveness of isolated strengthening exercises alone versus combined with proximal strengthening exercises in reducing pain and improving functionality in basketball players with PFPS. This research will employ a randomized clinical trial design to assess the impact of different strengthening exercise protocols on pain and functionality among basketball players diagnosed with PFPS. A sample of 32 basketball players aged 18-40 years, diagnosed with PFPS by a qualified orthopedic specialist and physiotherapists will be recruited for the study. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: The Isolated Strengthening Exercises (ISE) group and the Combined Strengthening Exercises (CSE) group, which includes both isolated and proximal strengthening exercises. The ISE group will follow a structured program consisting of isolated strengthening exercises targeting the quadriceps, focusing on exercises such as leg extensions, squats, and lunges. The CSE group will perform the same isolated strengthening exercises but with the addition of proximal strengthening exercises for the hip and core muscles, including exercises such as hip abduction, clamshells, and planks. Outcome measures, including pain levels using NPRS, functionality using the KOOS-PF, Step-down test, single leg squat Hop test, and range of motion assessments, will be recorded at baseline after 6 weeks. Statistical analysis, including independent t-tests, will be performed to compare the outcomes between the ISE and CSE groups using SPSS version 26.0.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion criteria:

* Professional male basketball players of the age group 18-40 years
* Practicing players of basketball (3-5 times a week)
* Players who experience pain around Patella
* Pain severity between 3 and 10 during stair descending test for PFPS
* Positive diagnostic patellofemoral syndrome maneuvers including Shrug test, Grind test and Perkins test

Exclusion criteria:

* Past surgery of affected leg
* Systemic illness (diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus)
* Individuals havening significant knee pathologies such as ACL tear, Meniscal tear
* Referred pain originating from other points of body
* Knee deformities or signs of knee OA in knee x-ray

Primary outcomes:
measure: Numeric pain rating scale
timeFrame: 6 weeks
measure: Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis outcome score for Patellofemoral injury
timeFrame: 6 weeks
measure: Single-legged hop tests
timeFrame: 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lahore
country: Pakistan
facility: Physio wellness centre
state: Punjab
Study officials:
affiliation: Riphah International University
name: Muhammad Asrar Yousaf, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Mostafaee N, Pashaei-Marandi M, Negahban H, Pirayeh N, Saki Malehi A, Ebrahimzadeh MH. Examining the diagnostic accuracy of common physical examination and functional tests in the diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome among patients with anterior knee pain. Physiother Theory Pract. 2024 Apr;40(4):843-855. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2158053. Epub 2022 Dec 19.
citation: You S, Shen Y, Liu Q, Cicchella A. Patellofemoral Pain, Q-Angle, and Performance in Female Chinese Collegiate Soccer Players. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Mar 16;59(3):589. doi: 10.3390/medicina59030589.