The effect of stretching and transverse friction massage to gastrocnemius for patellofemoral pain syndrome
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN56283223 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN56283223 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | N/A |
- Submission date
- 28/07/2015
- Registration date
- 23/08/2015
- Last edited
- 15/10/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (knee pain in young adults) happens when the kneecap (patella) is affected by imbalances in the muscles surrounding the knee joint. One of the causes is excessive tightness of the calf muscles. This study investigates if a massage technique (called transverse friction massage) combined with a home stretching exercise programme works better in treating the condition than the stretching exercises alone.
Who can participate?
Patients aged 16 or over with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in group A receive a self-stretching programme to do at home. Those in group B hare given the same stretching programme and also the
transverse friction massage to the gastrocnemius (calf muscle). All participants attend the trial participating centre 3 times over the study period. This involves an initial assessment at the start of the study, a follow-up visit 2 weeks into the study and a final one 4 weeks into the study. A review of the participants progress is made at the two follow up visits and those in group B receive their massage treatment during this time.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The use of stretches and transverse friction massage to the calf muscles are treatment techniques that are commonly used by physiotherapists for this and other conditions. The risk to the patient is minimal. On rare occasions there may be some mild soreness to the calf muscle however this usually settles within a 24 hour period.
Where is the study run from?
Northern Devon District Hospital and Precision Physiotherapy, Bideford (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2014 to September 2015
Who is funding the study?
Middlesex University (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Mr Stuart Hall
Contact information
Public
Precision Physiotherapy
52 Bay View Road
Northam
Bideford
EX39 1BH
United Kingdom
Study information
| Study design | Pilot interventional study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | The effect of stretches and transverse friction massage to the gastrocnemius in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) – a pilot interventional study |
| Study hypothesis | 1. Hypothesis 1 There is a reduction in pain with patients with PFPS who receive transverse friction massage and stretches compared to patients who receive a stretching regimen alone 2. Hypothesis 2 There is an improvement in function with patients with PFPS who receive transverse friction massage compared to patients who receive a stretching regimen alone 3. Null hypothesis 1 There is no difference in pain with patients with PFPS who receive transverse friction massage and stretches compared to patients who receive a stretching regime alone 4. Null hypothesis 2 There is no difference in function with patients with PFPS who receive transverse friction massage and stretches compared to patients who receive a stretching regime alone |
| Ethics approval(s) | 1. London Sport Institute Ethics Sub-Committee, 21/04/2015, ref: 351 2. West of Scotland Research Ethics Service, 10/09/2015, ref: 15/WS/0172 |
| Condition | Patellofemoral pain syndrome |
| Intervention | There will be two treatment arms for the study which will be called groups A and B. Group A will be taught home stretches for their gastrocnemius. Group B will be taught the same stretching programme however will also recieve 3 sessions of transverse friction massage which will be applied to the lateral head of gastrocnemius for 10 minutes. |
| Intervention type | Procedure/Surgery |
| Primary outcome measure | Pain measured on VAS and Eccentric step down test at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks follow-up |
| Secondary outcome measures | Function measured by Modified Functional Index Questionnaire and Eccentric step down test at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks follow-up |
| Overall study start date | 10/10/2014 |
| Overall study end date | 28/09/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 30 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | Participants may be aged from 16 and above, with no upper age limitation. History of characteristic history and symptoms of patellofemoral joint pain for more than 6 weeks, defined as retropatellar pain during physical activities such as jumping, running, squatting and going up and down stairs. Exhibit at least two of the following physical criteria: 1. Pain on direct compression of the patella against the femoral condyles with the knee in full extension 2. Tenderness of the posterior surface of the patella on palpation 3. Pain on resisted knee extension in 15º of flexion 4. Negative findings in the examination of the other knee structures, i.e. ligaments, menisci, bursae, synovial plicae, Hoffa’s fat pad, Iliotibial band, and the hamstrings, quadriceps, patellar tendons and their insertions. |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Referred pain to the lower limb from any spinal, pelvic or hip joints 2. Pregnancy 3. Joint replacement, ligamentous or meniscal surgery 4. Intra-articular loose bodies 5. Increased temperature of the knee joint 6. Abnormal illness behaviour 7. Rheumatoid arthritis 8. Heart conditions 9. Peripheral vascular disease |
| Recruitment start date | 01/06/2015 |
| Recruitment end date | 28/09/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centres
Barnstaple
EX31 4JB
United Kingdom
Northam
Bideford
EX39 1BH
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
c/o Dr Elaine Atkins
Programme Leader MSc Orthopaedic Medicine
The Archway Campus
Highgate Hill
London
N19 5LW
England
United Kingdom
| Website | http://www.mdx.ac.uk/ |
|---|---|
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/01rv4p989 |
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Private sector organisation / Universities (academic only)
- Alternative name(s)
- Middlesex University, London, Middlesex University London, MDX
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| Publication and dissemination plan | To be confirmed at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
15/10/2020: No publications found.
06/06/2018: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.
12/05/2016: Ethics approval information added.
