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 designCross sectional pilot study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCross sectional study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Scientific titleNeurodynamic test in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a pilot study
Study objectivesIs 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) studiedPatellofemoral pain syndrome
InterventionNeurodynamic 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 typeOther
Primary outcome measureLevels of pain experienced during neurodynamic testing, assessed using a numeric pain scoring system.
Secondary outcome measuresPA unilateral test to investigate whether patients suffer from back pain on the PFPS affected side.
Overall study start date01/01/2010
Completion date31/10/2010

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants12
Total final enrolment12
Key inclusion criteria1. 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 criteria1. 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 enrolment01/05/2010
Date of final enrolment30/08/2010

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 date01/06/2015
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planWe 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.