An interventional study of Standard Exercise Therapy + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training and Standard Exercise Therapy Only in Patellofemoral Pain, PFP, sponsored by Tianjin University of Sport. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-06.
Sponsored by Tianjin University of Sport · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is a common knee condition causing pain around the kneecap during activities like running or squatting. Limited ankle flexibility ("dorsiflexion" - how far participants can lift their toes toward the shin) may worsen PFP by altering leg movements. This study investigates whether adding ankle flexibility exercises to standard knee-strengthening programs improves outcomes for young adults with PFP. Active adults aged 18-30 with PFP and limited ankle flexibility (measured with a simple tool) are eligible, excluding those with prior knee/ankle surgeries, fractures, or conditions like arthritis. Sixty-four participants will be randomly assigned to either an Exercise + Ankle Training group (standard knee exercises plus targeted ankle training) or an Exercise-Only group for 8 weeks under physiotherapist guidance. Outcomes include improvements in knee pain scores (Kujala Scale), ankle flexibility changes, and muscle coordination measured with non-invasive sensors. If effective, ankle flexibility training could provide a low-cost addition to current treatments, helping patients resume activities with less pain. The study follows international ethical guidelines and has received preliminary ethics approval (No. TJUS-2025-054).
295 studies on the registry are indexed under Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; 75 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 64 is above the median of 45 across 242 interventional studies indexed under Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
Browse Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome studies →Tianjin University of Sport is the lead sponsor of 4 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
standard exercise + ankle dorsiflexion training
Other: Standard Exercise Therapy + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training
standard exercise only
Other: Standard Exercise Therapy Only
The experimental group receives: Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces). Ankle Dorsiflexion Training (15 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Mobilization techniques (posterior glides of the talus), Resistance band exercises (dorsiflexion against elastic bands), Progressive Achilles tendon stretching (weight-bearing calf stretches). Exercise progression (resistance/intensity) is adjusted biweekly based on functional assessments.
Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces). Exercise progression (resistance/intensity) is adjusted biweekly based on functional assessments.
Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale
Time frame: Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
Time frame: Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).
sEMG co-contraction ratios
Time frame: All outcome measures (sEMG co-contraction) ratios are assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completing the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Apr 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Tianjin University of Sport