An interventional study of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and Rehabilitation Exercise Program in Osgood-Schlatter Disease, sponsored by Benha University. Completed at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 16 Years to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-10.
Sponsored by Benha University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is a common cause of knee pain in adolescent athletes. It occurs during periods of growth and is often associated with sports activities involving running, jumping, and repeated knee movements. Pain may limit participation in sports and other physical activities.
This study aims to investigate whether combining proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) relaxation techniques with a progressive rehabilitation exercise programme is more effective than progressive rehabilitation exercises alone in reducing knee pain and improving knee range of motion in adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome.
Twelve adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome were allocated randomly into two groups. The first group received PNF hold-relax techniques targeting the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, together with a progressive rehabilitation exercise programme. The second group received the progressive rehabilitation exercise programme alone.
Both groups participated in rehabilitation sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Knee pain and range of motion were assessed before the intervention, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks.
The study will compare changes in pain and knee mobility between the two groups to determine whether adding PNF relaxation techniques provides additional benefits to progressive rehabilitation exercises. The findings may help inform rehabilitation approaches for adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome.
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is an overuse-related condition affecting the tibial tubercle apophysis in adolescents, particularly those participating in sports involving repetitive running, jumping, and forceful quadriceps contraction. It commonly presents with anterior knee pain and tenderness around the tibial tubercle, which may interfere with sports participation and physical activity.
Conservative management generally includes activity modification and progressive rehabilitation exercises. However, additional approaches that may improve muscle flexibility, movement tolerance, and knee mobility warrant further investigation.
**Study objective**
The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of combining proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) relaxation techniques with a progressive rehabilitation exercise programme on knee pain and range of motion in adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome, compared with progressive rehabilitation exercises alone.
**Study design and participants**
This study uses a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled design involving 12 adolescent athletes with clinically diagnosed Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. Participants are allocated equally into two groups, with six participants in each group.
**Intervention group: Combined PNF and progressive rehabilitation (CPRE)**
Participants in the experimental group receive PNF hold-relax techniques targeting the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups, in addition to a structured progressive rehabilitation exercise programme. The programme includes lower-limb strengthening exercises and exercises targeting the hip and core musculature.
**Comparison group: Progressive rehabilitation exercises (RE)**
Participants in the comparison group receive the structured progressive rehabilitation exercise programme without the additional PNF relaxation techniques.
**Intervention duration and frequency**
Both groups participate in rehabilitation sessions three times per week over a 12-week period. Each session lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.
**Outcome assessments**
Clinical assessments are performed at three time points: baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.
The principal outcomes include:
The study compares changes in these outcomes over time between the combined intervention group and the progressive rehabilitation group.
**Data analysis**
Changes in outcome measures are evaluated using a two-way mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance to examine the effects of group, time, and the group-by-time interaction. Statistical significance is evaluated using the prespecified significance level.
**Potential significance**
This study is intended to provide preliminary evidence regarding whether adding PNF hold-relax techniques to progressive rehabilitation exercises offers additional benefits for reducing knee pain and improving knee mobility in adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. The findings may contribute to the development of rehabilitation strategies for this population.
16 studies on the registry are indexed under Osteochondrosis; 5 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 12 is below the median of 51 across 13 interventional studies indexed under Osteochondrosis.
Browse Osteochondrosis studies →Benha University is the lead sponsor of 362 studies on the registry; 66 are open to participants now.
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Participants diagnosed with the condition investigated in the study. Participants meeting the specified age eligibility criteria. Participants able to participate in the prescribed rehabilitation exercise program.
Participants who provided .
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants with to the rehabilitation interventions. Participants with medical conditions that could interfere with participation or outcome assessment.
Participants who had received treatments that could influence the study outcomes, as specified in the study protocol.
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants received a combined intervention consisting of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and a structured rehabilitation exercise program.
Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) · Behavioral: Rehabilitation Exercise Program
Participants received a structured rehabilitation exercise program without the addition of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques.
Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) · Behavioral: Rehabilitation Exercise Program
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques were administered to participants in the experimental group in combination with the rehabilitation exercise program. PNF was used as an additional therapeutic component of the intervention.
A structured rehabilitation exercise program administered to participants in both the experimental group (combined PNF and rehabilitation exercise group) and the active comparator group (rehabilitation exercise group alone).
Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate changes in pain severity following the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), 6 weeks (T1), and 12 weeks (T2).
Range of motion using a standard universal goniometer
Range of motion was assessed using standard universal goniometer to evaluate changes in Range of motion following the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), 6 weeks (T1), and 12 weeks (T2).
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from Jul 2026 to primary completion in Oct 2026, 3 months.
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This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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