RehabilitationNCT06625086
Effect of Web-Based Exercise on Patellofemoral Pain
A study testing Convensional exercises, Supervised exercises and Web based exercises in people with Rehabilitation and Telerehabilitation, run by Istanbul Medipol University Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common and challenging knee condition, characterized by pain around the patella. It primarily affects active women, athletes, and military personnel. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 40 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Rehabilitation, Telerehabilitation, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Convensional exercises, Supervised exercises and Web based exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Oct 2024to 15 Mar 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 40 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Having atraumatic pain lasting for at least 3 months,
- Exhibiting characteristic signs of patellofemoral pain syndrome (retropatellar pain, the presence of the movie sign, and a positive patellar grind test),
- Having one or more positive patellofemoral pain triggers, such as prolonged sitting, squatting, kneeling, descending stairs, ascending stairs, or a positive patellar grind test,
- No knee instability and no grade 2-3 ligament or meniscus tears,
- Voluntary participation in the study.
Who cannot join
- A history of patellofemoral dislocation, subluxation, or osteoarthritis,
- A previous history of surgery or the presence of congenital deformity,
- The presence of neurological or rheumatological disease,
- Speech or comprehension impairment that affects communication,
- Having previously undergone physical therapy and rehabilitation for patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Medipol University
Istanbul, Beykoz, 34810
About this study
Official title: Investigation of the Effectiveness of a Web-Based Remote Exercise Program in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common and challenging knee condition, characterized by pain around the patella. It primarily affects active women, athletes, and military personnel. PFPS accounts for a significant portion of musculoskeletal and knee complaints, though its true prevalence may be higher due to underdiagnosis. Diagnosis is based on a detailed history and physical exam, with symptoms like pain during activities such as kneeling, stair climbing, squatting, and running. The condition is caused by muscle imbalance, overactivity, overload, and trauma, leading to mechanical and dynamic control issues in the lower extremities.
Most PFPS treatments are conservative, focusing on physiotherapy approaches that include patient education, strengthening, flexibility, proprioception, and stretching exercises. Surgical interventions are rare.
Current literature lacks studies on the use of web-based remote exercise programs for PFPS patients. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based, timed exercise program on pain, functional capacity, and kinesiophobia in individuals with PFPS.
Read the detailed description
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common and challenging knee disorders to treat. It refers to pain around the patella and surrounding structures. PFPS was first described in 1928 and is most frequently observed in active women, athletes, and military personnel. It accounts for a significant portion of musculoskeletal complaints and knee problems, and the actual prevalence may be higher as not all cases are diagnosed. The diagnosis of patellofemoral syndrome largely relies on a detailed and accurate history and physical examination. Symptoms can be unilateral or bilateral and often include pain associated with activities such as kneeling, stair climbing, squatting, and running. PFPS is characterized by an imbalance among the static and dynamic structures of the lower extremity, muscle imbalance, overactivity, overload, and trauma. Patients with PFPS exhibit abnormalities in mechanical and dynamic control of the lower extremity.
Most treatment approaches for PFPS are conservative, with surgical interventions being rare. Treatment programs typically involve a multimodal physiotherapy approach, including functional patient education, lower extremity strengthening, flexibility, proprioception, endurance, and stretching exercises.
Upon reviewing the existing literature, no studies were found that investigated the use of a web-based remote exercise program among patients with PFPS.
Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a web-based remote, timed exercise program on pain, functional capacity, and kinesiophobia in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The evaluation will include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Kujala questionnaire for patellofemoral function, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for functional mobility.
- Being tested
- Convensional exercises, Supervised exercises, Web based exercises
- Medical subject headings
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Convensional exercisesOther
Exercises will be provided to individuals in the Self-Guided Exercise group through a brochure.
Supervised exercisesOther
Exercises will be administered to individuals with PFPS under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
Web based exercisesOther
The exercises will be administered to participants through a web-based application.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Guided Exercise Group | Active comparator | A brochure explaining and demonstrating the exercises to be performed in treatment will be provided to 20 patients with PFPS. Patients will be asked to follow the exercise program for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, performing each exercise twice a day with 10 repetitions for each exercise. Receives: Other: Convensional exercises |
| Supervised Exercise Group | Experimental | Twenty patients with PFPS will perform exercises taught under the supervision of a physiotherapist for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, with each exercise performed twice a day and repeated 10 times. Receives: Other: Supervised exercises |
| Web-Based Exercise Group | Experimental | Group 3 (Web-Based Exercise Group): Twenty patients with PFPS will participate in a web-based exercise program for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, with each exercise performed twice a day and repeated 10 times.
Web-Based Remote Exercise Program: The web-based application will be created using iOS and Android operating systems. Exercises specifically designed for PFPS treatment will be included in the application through video tutorials. Descriptive text explaining each exercise will be provided below each video. Information on how well each participant adheres to the exercise program, how frequently they perform each exercise, and their current status will be recorded. Receives: Other: Web based exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analogue Scale
The Visual Analog Scale is used to measure the intensity of pain. The patient is asked to assess their pain on a line with values ranging from 0-10, where 0 means no pain, and 10 means unbearable pain. Individuals mark their pain intensity on this line according to their pain situation.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Kujala Patellofemoral Scoring
The Kujala Patellofemoral Scoring scale was developed in 1993 by Kujala and colleagues to assess knee functionality in problems related to the patellofemoral structure. It has been proven to be a valid, reliable, and sensitive scale for patients with PFPS. The scale consists of 13 questions, and the scoring system ranges from 0 to 100, from worst to best. A higher score indicates better performance.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Time up and go test
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a functional assessment used to evaluate patients' mobility, balance, and walking abilities. Patients will be instructed to start from a seated position in a chair, stand up on command, walk as quickly as possible at a safe walking speed for a predetermined distance of 3 meters, turn around at the end point, and return to sit in the chair. The time from when they stand up until they sit down again will be recorded with a stopwatch. The test will be repeated three times, and the average time will be calculated.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia
The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, which has been validated for reliability in Turkish, will be used to assess kinesiophobia. The scale consists of 17 questions that inquire about avoidance of movement due to previous injury history or pain. The lowest score is 17, and the highest score is 68, with a score of 37 or above indicating a high level of kinesiophobia.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Oct 2024
- Study start5 Oct 2024
- Primary completion20 Feb 2025
- Study completion15 Mar 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for RehabilitationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, burak menek, Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06625086
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-10840098-772.02-6172
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 1 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 8 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Menek B, Dansuk E. Comparative Efficacy of Supervised, Web-Based, and Self-Guided Exercise Interventions in Women with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Apr 15;61(4):731. doi: 10.3390/medicina61040731.
PubMed 40283022
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Effectiveness of a Web-Based Remote Exercise Program in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06625086
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-10840098-772.02-6172
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Medipol University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Mar 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common and challenging knee condition, characterized by pain around the patella. It primarily affects active women, athletes, and military personnel. PFPS accounts for a significant portion of musculoskeletal and knee complaints, though its true prevalence may be higher due to underdiagnosis. Diagnosis is based on a detailed history and physical exam, with symptoms like pain during activities such as kneeling, stair climbing, squatting, and running. The condition is caused by muscle imbalance, overactivity, overload, and trauma, leading to mechanical and dynamic control issues in the lower extremities.
Most PFPS treatments are conservative, focusing on physiotherapy approaches that include patient education, strengthening, flexibility, proprioception, and stretching exercises. Surgical interventions are rare.
Current literature lacks studies on the use of web-based remote exercise programs for PFPS patients. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based, timed exercise program on pain, functional capacity, and kinesiophobia in individuals with PFPS.
Detailed description
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common and challenging knee disorders to treat. It refers to pain around the patella and surrounding structures. PFPS was first described in 1928 and is most frequently observed in active women, athletes, and military personnel. It accounts for a significant portion of musculoskeletal complaints and knee problems, and the actual prevalence may be higher as not all cases are diagnosed. The diagnosis of patellofemoral syndrome largely relies on a detailed and accurate history and physical examination. Symptoms can be unilateral or bilateral and often include pain associated with activities such as kneeling, stair climbing, squatting, and running. PFPS is characterized by an imbalance among the static and dynamic structures of the lower extremity, muscle imbalance, overactivity, overload, and trauma. Patients with PFPS exhibit abnormalities in mechanical and dynamic control of the lower extremity.
Most treatment approaches for PFPS are conservative, with surgical interventions being rare. Treatment programs typically involve a multimodal physiotherapy approach, including functional patient education, lower extremity strengthening, flexibility, proprioception, endurance, and stretching exercises.
Upon reviewing the existing literature, no studies were found that investigated the use of a web-based remote exercise program among patients with PFPS.
Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a web-based remote, timed exercise program on pain, functional capacity, and kinesiophobia in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The evaluation will include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Kujala questionnaire for patellofemoral function, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for functional mobility.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Guided Exercise Group | Active comparator | Other: Convensional exercisesA brochure explaining and demonstrating the exercises to be performed in treatment will be provided to 20 patients with PFPS. Patients will be asked to follow the exercise program for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, performing each exercise twice a day with 10 repetitions for each exercise. |
| Supervised Exercise Group | Experimental | Other: Supervised exercisesTwenty patients with PFPS will perform exercises taught under the supervision of a physiotherapist for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, with each exercise performed twice a day and repeated 10 times. |
| Web-Based Exercise Group | Experimental | Other: Web based exercisesGroup 3 (Web-Based Exercise Group): Twenty patients with PFPS will participate in a web-based exercise program for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, with each exercise performed twice a day and repeated 10 times. Web-Based Remote Exercise Program: The web-based application will be created using iOS and Android operating systems. Exercises specifically designed for PFPS treatment will be included in the application through video tutorials. Descriptive text explaining each exercise will be provided below each video. Information on how well each participant adheres to the exercise program, how frequently they perform each exercise, and their current status will be recorded. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Having atraumatic pain lasting for at least 3 months,
- Exhibiting characteristic signs of patellofemoral pain syndrome (retropatellar pain, the presence of the movie sign, and a positive patellar grind test),
- Having one or more positive patellofemoral pain triggers, such as prolonged sitting, squatting, kneeling, descending stairs, ascending stairs, or a positive patellar grind test,
- No knee instability and no grade 2-3 ligament or meniscus tears,
- Voluntary participation in the study.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- A history of patellofemoral dislocation, subluxation, or osteoarthritis,
- A previous history of surgery or the presence of congenital deformity,
- The presence of neurological or rheumatological disease,
- Speech or comprehension impairment that affects communication,
- Having previously undergone physical therapy and rehabilitation for patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Convensional exercisesExercises will be provided to individuals in the Self-Guided Exercise group through a brochure. | Other | Self-Guided Exercise Group |
| Supervised exercisesExercises will be administered to individuals with PFPS under the supervision of a physiotherapist. | Other | Supervised Exercise Group |
| Web based exercisesThe exercises will be administered to participants through a web-based application. | Other | Web-Based Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
The Visual Analog Scale is used to measure the intensity of pain. The patient is asked to assess their pain on a line with values ranging from 0-10, where 0 means no pain, and 10 means unbearable pain. Individuals mark their pain intensity on this line according to their pain situation.
Kujala Patellofemoral Scoring
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
The Kujala Patellofemoral Scoring scale was developed in 1993 by Kujala and colleagues to assess knee functionality in problems related to the patellofemoral structure. It has been proven to be a valid, reliable, and sensitive scale for patients with PFPS. The scale consists of 13 questions, and the scoring system ranges from 0 to 100, from worst to best. A higher score indicates better performance.
Time up and go test
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a functional assessment used to evaluate patients' mobility, balance, and walking abilities. Patients will be instructed to start from a seated position in a chair, stand up on command, walk as quickly as possible at a safe walking speed for a predetermined distance of 3 meters, turn around at the end point, and return to sit in the chair. The time from when they stand up until they sit down again will be recorded with a stopwatch. The test will be repeated three times, and the average time will be calculated.
1 secondary outcome
Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Apr 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40283022Menek B, Dansuk E. Comparative Efficacy of Supervised, Web-Based, and Self-Guided Exercise Interventions in Women with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Apr 15;61(4):731. doi: 10.3390/medicina61040731.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Convensional exercises, Supervised exercises and Web based exercises in people with Rehabilitation and Telerehabilitation, run by Istanbul Medipol University Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Analogue Scale (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06625086, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Apr 2025.