Clinical trial NCT00445224: Comparing Rehabilitation Programs for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Official title: Comparison of Early Hip Strengthening to Early Quadriceps Strengthening in the Treatment of Females With Patellofemoral Pain
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Keywords: Knee pain
Rehabilitation
Lead sponsor: University of Kentucky
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2007-03-08
Enrollment: 33
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 15
Maximum age (years): 35
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

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 description: 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.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* anterior or retropatellar knee pain reported during at least 2 of the following activities: ascending and descending stairs, hopping and running, squatting, kneeling, and prolonged sitting
* insidious onset of symptoms not related to trauma
* pain with compression of the patella
* pain on palpation of the patellar facets

Exclusion Criteria:

* symptoms present for less than one month
* clinical evidence of other knee pathology
* history of recent knee surgery within past one year
* history of patellar dislocations or subluxations
* current significant injury affecting other lower extremity joints

Primary outcomes:
measure: Visual Analog Pain Scale (Describing Worst Pain Felt During the Past Week)
timeFrame: weekly
measure: Subjective Function by Lower Extremity Functional Scale Report Form
timeFrame: Baseline, Mid-Intervention, and Post-Intervention
measure: Visual Analog Pain Scale
timeFrame: 8 week
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Strength by Isometric Dynamometer
timeFrame: Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention
measure: Neuromuscular Activity by Surface Electromyographical Amplitude During Stair Descent
timeFrame: Baseline, Mid and Post-Intervention
measure: Objective Function by Step-down Task for 30 Seconds
timeFrame: Baseline, Mid, and Post-Intervention
measure: Hip Abduction Strength
timeFrame: 8 week
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lexington
country: United States
facility: University of Kentucky
state: Kentucky
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Kentucky
name: Timothy Uhl, PhD, ATC, PT
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References:
citation: Dolak KL, Silkman C, Medina McKeon J, Hosey RG, Lattermann C, Uhl TL. Hip strengthening prior to functional exercises reduces pain sooner than quadriceps strengthening in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Aug;41(8):560-70. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.3499. Epub 2011 Jun 7.