An interventional study of Telerehabilitation and Supervised Rehabilitation in Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome, sponsored by Riphah International University. Recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-06.
Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study aims to compare the effects of telerehabilitation and supervised rehabilitation protocols on pain, range of motion (ROM), and functional recovery in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). The findings will help determine the effectiveness of remote rehabilitation compared to conventional supervised physiotherapy in improving clinical outcomes among PFPS patients.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting the knee, particularly among physically active individuals and young adults. It is characterized by anterior knee pain that is aggravated during activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, prolonged sitting, and other weight-bearing tasks. PFPS can lead to reduced physical function, limitations in daily activities, decreased participation in sports, and a lower quality of life. Rehabilitation programs focusing on pain reduction, restoration of range of motion, muscle strengthening, and functional recovery are considered essential components of management.
Recent advances in digital healthcare have increased the use of telerehabilitation as an alternative method for delivering physiotherapy services. Telerehabilitation offers remote access to exercise programs and clinical guidance, making rehabilitation more accessible and convenient for patients. Several studies have reported positive outcomes of both supervised rehabilitation and telerehabilitation in managing musculoskeletal disorders. However, evidence directly comparing the effects of telerehabilitation and supervised rehabilitation for improving pain, range of motion, and functional recovery in individuals with PFPS remains limited and inconsistent.
There is a need for further research to determine whether telerehabilitation can provide outcomes comparable to conventional supervised rehabilitation in patients with PFPS. Addressing this gap may help clinicians make evidence-based decisions regarding rehabilitation delivery methods and improve access to effective treatment for individuals experiencing patellofemoral pain.
297 studies on the registry are indexed under Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; 74 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 44 is close to the median of 45 across 244 interventional studies indexed under Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
Browse Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome studies →Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,193 studies on the registry; 650 are open to participants now.
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Participants aged 18-60 years
Kujala score \< 100). Participants were included with PFPS when Kujala (AKPS) score \< 85 indicating limitation function limitation in PFPS.
Positive Clarke's Test
Exclusion Criteria:
History of knee injury/trauma or lower extremity joint replacement.
Participants receive a structured 6-week telerehabilitation exercise program delivered remotely under live, real-time video call supervision by a licensed physical therapist (3 sessions per week, total 18 sessions, for 40 mins. Baseline Protocol (Pre-Exercise):5-10 minutes warm-up walk.10-15 minutes self-applied moist hot pack over anterior knee. Self-stretching exercises for Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius-Soleus, and Iliotibial band (3 repetitions of 30-second holds each).Pain-free active knee range of motion (flexion and extension) exercises. Exercise Progression Protocol: Week 1 (Muscle Activation \& Pain Relief). Week 2 (Subacute Phase - Closed Kinetic Chain \& Hip Stability)Week 3 (Intermediate Phase - Dynamic Stability),Week 4 (Advanced Phase - Eccentric Control),Week 5 (Functional Integration),Week 6 (High-Level Function \& Discharge Prep): Full depth controlled squats , Stair negotiation drills, Unassisted single-leg squats, and Multi-planar step agility drills.
Other: Telerehabilitation
Participants receive face-to-face, in-clinic supervised physical therapy delivered directly by a licensed physical therapist (3 sessions per week ,40 min,total 18 sessions). Baseline Protocol (Pre-Exercise): 5-10 minutes warm-up walk. 10-15 minutes hot pack surrounding patella). Therapist-assisted passive/active-assisted stretching for Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius-Soleus, and Iliotibial band (3 repetitions of 20-second holds each). Pain-free active and active-assisted knee range of motion (flexion and extension) exercises. Exercise Progression Protocol: Identical exercise progression framework as the Telerehabilitation group (Weeks 1 to 6 covering SLR, hip abduction, clamshells, squats, lunges, step-ups, step-downs, and single-leg balance), performed in-clinic under direct hands-on physical supervision and guidance.
Other: Supervised Rehabilitation
The telerehabilitation intervention consists of a structured rehabilitation program delivered remotely through virtual communication platforms. The program includes therapeutic exercises, stretching, strengthening, and functional training designed to reduce pain, improve knee range of motion, and enhance functional recovery in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Participants will receive regular guidance, monitoring, and progression of exercises through remote sessions. Participants receive a structured 6-week telerehabilitation exercise program delivered remotely under live, real-time video call supervision by a licensed physical therapist (3 sessions per week, total 18 sessions, for 40 mins. Baseline Protocol 5-10 minutes warm-up walk.10-15 minutes self-applied moist hot pack over anterior knee. Self-stretching exercises for Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius-Soleus, and Iliotibial band (3 repetitions of 30-second holds each).Pain-free active knee range of motion exercises
Also known as: Tele-rehab Protocol, Digital Physical Therapy Program , Remote Supervised Exercise Program
Participants receive face-to-face, in-clinic supervised physical therapy delivered directly by a licensed physical therapist (3 sessions per week ,40 min,total 18 sessions). Baseline Protocol (Pre-Exercise): 5-10 minutes warm-up walk. 10-15 minutes hot pack surrounding patella). Therapist-assisted passive/active-assisted stretching for Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius-Soleus, and Iliotibial band (3 repetitions of 20-second holds each). Pain-free active and active-assisted knee range of motion (flexion and extension) exercises. Exercise Progression Protocol: Identical exercise progression framework as the Telerehabilitation group (Weeks 1 to 6 covering SLR, hip abduction, clamshells, squats, lunges, step-ups, step-downs, and single-leg balance), performed in-clinic under direct hands-on physical supervision and guidance.
Also known as: In-Clinic Physiotherapy, Face-to-Face Supervised Rehabilitation
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
The NPRS was utilized to assess the patient's pain level. Patients were asked to rate the intensity of their current pain level on an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst discomfort possible).
Time frame: The NPRS Scale will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the rehabilitation program. The total intervention duration will be 6 weeks, with sessions conducted 3 times per week.
Anterior Knee Pain Scale/ Kujala Score
The Kujala score was originally designed to assess symptoms and functional disability in patients with Patellofemoral dysfunction. The grading system consists of 13 questions about functional features, such as limping, support, walking, stair descending and climbing, squatting, running, jumping, prolonged sitting with knees flexed, pain, swelling, kneecap movement, thigh atrophy, and flexion deficit. The maximum score is 100, and a higher number indicates a better result.
Time frame: The Kujala Score will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the rehabilitation program. The total intervention duration will be 6 weeks, with sessions conducted 3 times per week.
Universal Goniometer for ROM
The universal goniometer is the most often used clinical equipment for measuring ROM. Goniometer demonstrates good intra-rater and inter-rater reliability when used consistently with proper technique. The whole range of joint mobility can be measured in degrees by aligning the goniometer's fixed and moveable arms to specific bony landmarks on either side of the joint, and a universal goniometer is used to measure joint range of motion (ROM).
Time frame: The ROM will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the rehabilitation program. The total intervention duration will be 6 weeks, with sessions conducted 3 times per week.
Plan to share: No
Started Oct 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 2 months after the start.
Of 153 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, half reached primary completion within 11 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 20. This study's planned 2 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 157 studies reached it within 11 months; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 21.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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