Neurodynamic test in patellofemoral pain syndrome

ISRCTN	ISRCTN12473526
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12473526
Secondary identifying numbers	N/A

Submission date: 21/04/2015
Registration date: 20/05/2015
Last edited: 14/05/2019

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Musculoskeletal Diseases

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common disorder which describes pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap. PFPS is sometimes called ‘runner’s knee’ or ‘jumper’s knee’ because it’s common in people who play sports. PFPS is most common in females and young adults. People with PFPS experience pain around the knee during both rest and physical activity. Triggers of pain include bending the knee, using stairs or taking part in sports or exercise. There is little agreement on the causes of PFPS, but it is thought to be caused by a misalignment within the knee and putting too much weight on the knee joint and surrounding area. Another explanation for the cause of PFPS is that the pain is caused by an irritated nerve located in either the lower back or possibly the thigh. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of PFPS and its causes. Patients diagnosed with PFPS in one knee will be tested for signs of altered nerve sensitivity in the affected knee compared to their unaffected knee. The results of this study might help shed light on the causes of PFPS.

Who can participate?
Adults having physiotherapy for PFPS.

What does the study involve?
Participants have a thorough screening examination to assess their condition and complete questionnaires. A physiotherapist carries out two movement tests on both knees and assesses pain levels using an established scoring system. The session takes around 90 minutes and is carried out in the physiotherapy clinic.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
A benefit of taking part in this study is that all participants will have a thorough assessment of their knee problems. There are no specific risks to participants.

Where is the study run from?
Hans & Olaf Physiotherapy Centre (Hans & Olaf Fysioterapi) (Norway)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2010 to October 2010

Who is funding the study?
Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy (Norway)

Who is the main contact?
Ms K Vegstein

Contact information

Ms Kristine Vegstein
Scientific

Lysaker Manuellterapi
PO Box 24
Lysaker
1324
Norway

Study information

Study design	Cross sectional pilot study
Primary study design	Observational
Secondary study design	Cross sectional study
Study setting(s)	Hospital
Study type	Diagnostic
Participant information sheet	Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Scientific title	Neurodynamic test in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a pilot study
Study objectives	Is there increased mechanosensitivity in the femoral nerve in patients with unilateral PFPS (patellofemoral pain syndrome)?
Ethics approval(s)	1. University of Bergen, 2010. 2.REK (Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics), Norway.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Intervention	Neurodynamic testing of the femoral nerve: 1. Butler prone knee bend (PKB) test 2. Butler slump knee bend (SKB) test 3. Maitland Posterior- Anterior (PA) unilateral movement. test for lumbar segmental pain
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure	Levels of pain experienced during neurodynamic testing, assessed using a numeric pain scoring system.
Secondary outcome measures	PA unilateral test to investigate whether patients suffer from back pain on the PFPS affected side.
Overall study start date	01/01/2010
Completion date	31/10/2010

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Patient
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Sex	Both
Target number of participants	12
Total final enrolment	12
Key inclusion criteria	1. Adults aged 18–44 diagnosed with unilateral PFPS 2. Patients with a pain history of more than 3 months (i.e. chronic pain) and which is experienced during rest and/or during physical (e.g. pain when doing knee bends, using stairs or taking part in sports or exercise activities). 3. Patients able to carry out normal daily activities
Key exclusion criteria	1. Patients with known intraarticular disorders or other systemic pathological conditions 2. Patients who have undergone previous surgery or suffered knee trauma in the affected leg 3. Patients who have received knee injections within 3 months of taking part in the trial
Date of first enrolment	01/05/2010
Date of final enrolment	30/08/2010

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Norway

Study participating centre

Hans & Olaf Physiotherapy Clinic (Hans & Olaf Fysioterapi)

Torggata 16
Oslo
0181
Norway

Sponsor information

Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy (Norway)
Government

Postboks 2704 St. Hanshaugen
Oslo
0131
Norway

Phone	+47 22 93 30 90
Email	post@fysiofondet.no
Website	http://fysiofondet.no/

Funders

Funder type

Government

Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy (Norway)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date	01/06/2015
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	Yes
IPD sharing plan summary	Available on request
Publication and dissemination plan	We hope to publish a paper in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Results article	results	08/05/2019	14/05/2019	Yes	No

Editorial Notes

14/05/2019: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.