Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeNCT07210060
Knee Strengthening With Hip vs. Ankle Exercises in Women With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
A study testing hip + knee joint exercise group, ankle + knee joint exercise group and Stretching group in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Anterior Knee Pain, run by Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
Eight weeks of telehealth-based supervised exercise effectively reduced DKV and pain in women with anterior knee pain. Both intervention groups demonstrated comparable benefits. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 40 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Anterior Knee Pain, Exercise Therapy
- What is being tested?
- hip + knee joint exercise group, ankle + knee joint exercise group and Stretching group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 45 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2023to 31 Jul 2024
- 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
- Female recreational athletes aged 20-40 years who engage in regular exercise
- Experiencing pain in the anterior or surrounding patella during at least two or more of the following activities: walking, running, jumping, kneeling, squatting, climbing stairs, or prolonged sitting
- A pain index of 3 or higher on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and symptoms persisting for at least 3 months
- Knee pain unrelated to trauma.
Who cannot join
- Inability to operate a smartphone or computer
- History of fractures or surgeries involving the hip, knee, ankle, or foot
- History of meniscus, knee ligament injuries, or ankle sprains within the last six months
- Knee ligament laxity, inflammation, swelling, patellar dislocation, or subluxation
- Cognitive impairment or inability to follow simple instructions
- History of cardiovascular or neurological disorders
- Advised by a physician to avoid exercise. Use of over-the-counter pain medication was not an exclusion criterion.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Knee Strengthening Combined With Hip or Ankle Joint Exercises on Clinical Symptoms, Sports Performance and Soft Tissue Structure in Women With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Eight weeks of telehealth-based supervised exercise effectively reduced DKV and pain in women with anterior knee pain. Both intervention groups demonstrated comparable benefits.
Read the detailed description
This study compared the effects of knee strengthening combined with either hip or ankle joint exercises on dynamic knee valgus (DKV), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores during activity, tendon stiffness, muscle structure, ankle range of motion, and muscle strength in women with anterior knee pain. Forty-five female recreational athletes aged 20-40 with anterior knee pain were randomly assigned to three groups: hip + knee exercises (HK group, n = 15), ankle + knee exercises (AK group, n = 15), and stretching alone (control group, n = 15). The HK and AK groups received supervised telehealth-based exercise sessions (30 minutes/day, 3 times/week for 8 weeks), while the control group received only an educational pamphlet. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.
- Being tested
- hip + knee joint exercise group, ankle + knee joint exercise group, Stretching group
- Keywords
- Dynamic alignment, Tele-rehabilitation, Pain modulation, Muscle strength
- 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.
hip + knee joint exercise groupOther
Hip: squat, glute bridge and gluteus medius exercise Knee: knee flexor and extensor, isometric squat hold
ankle + knee joint exercise groupOther
Knee: knee flexor and extensor, isometric squat hold Ankle: plantar flexor, dorsi flexor and lunge
Stretching groupOther
Education Handout on Lower Limb Stretching
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| HK group | Experimental | hip + knee joint exercise group Receives: Other: hip + knee joint exercise group |
| AK group | Experimental | ankle + knee joint exercise group Receives: Other: ankle + knee joint exercise group |
| Stretching group | Sham comparator | Stretching group Receives: Other: Stretching group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Single Leg Landing Task
The participant stood on a 30 cm box and first bent the non-testing leg's knee to approximately 90 degrees. After stabilizing, the participant jumped forward with the testing leg to a target 10 cm away from the box, maintaining balance for five seconds upon landing.
Measured: 2 minute
Secondary outcomes (5)
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable.
Measured: 1 minute
Patellar Tendon Stiffness Measurement
The stiffness of the patellar tendon was assessed using a handheld device (MyotonPRO; Tallinn, Estonia).
Measured: 3 minute
Muscle structure
A portable ultrasound device (Linear wireless probe LU700L VET) was used to assess the structure of the gastrocnemius and gluteus medius muscles in a resting state.
Measured: 15 minute
Ankle Joint ROM
used a weight-bearing lunge test to measure the active dorsiflexion angle of the ankle during weight-bearing.
Measured: 3 minute
Maximum Voluntary Isometric Strength
A handheld dynamometer (MicroFET3; Hoggan Scientific LLC, USA) was used to measure the maximum isometric strength of the hip abductors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, and ankle plantar flexors.
Measured: 15 minute
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Oct 2025
- Study start1 Jul 2023
- Primary completion31 Jul 2024
- Study completion31 Jul 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07210060
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KMUHIRB-E(I)-20220334
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 7 Oct 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Oct 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Knee Strengthening Combined With Hip or Ankle Joint Exercises on Clinical Symptoms, Sports Performance and Soft Tissue Structure in Women With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07210060
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- KMUHIRB-E(I)-20220334
- Keywords
- Dynamic alignment, Tele-rehabilitation, Pain modulation, Muscle strength
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Oct 2025 (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.
Eight weeks of telehealth-based supervised exercise effectively reduced DKV and pain in women with anterior knee pain. Both intervention groups demonstrated comparable benefits.
Detailed description
This study compared the effects of knee strengthening combined with either hip or ankle joint exercises on dynamic knee valgus (DKV), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores during activity, tendon stiffness, muscle structure, ankle range of motion, and muscle strength in women with anterior knee pain. Forty-five female recreational athletes aged 20-40 with anterior knee pain were randomly assigned to three groups: hip + knee exercises (HK group, n = 15), ankle + knee exercises (AK group, n = 15), and stretching alone (control group, n = 15). The HK and AK groups received supervised telehealth-based exercise sessions (30 minutes/day, 3 times/week for 8 weeks), while the control group received only an educational pamphlet. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| HK group | Experimental | Other: hip + knee joint exercise grouphip + knee joint exercise group |
| AK group | Experimental | Other: ankle + knee joint exercise groupankle + knee joint exercise group |
| Stretching group | Sham comparator | Other: Stretching groupStretching group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Female recreational athletes aged 20-40 years who engage in regular exercise
- Experiencing pain in the anterior or surrounding patella during at least two or more of the following activities: walking, running, jumping, kneeling, squatting, climbing stairs, or prolonged sitting
- A pain index of 3 or higher on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and symptoms persisting for at least 3 months
- Knee pain unrelated to trauma.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Inability to operate a smartphone or computer
- History of fractures or surgeries involving the hip, knee, ankle, or foot
- History of meniscus, knee ligament injuries, or ankle sprains within the last six months
- Knee ligament laxity, inflammation, swelling, patellar dislocation, or subluxation
- Cognitive impairment or inability to follow simple instructions
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 |
|---|---|---|
| hip + knee joint exercise groupHip: squat, glute bridge and gluteus medius exercise Knee: knee flexor and extensor, isometric squat hold | Other | HK group |
| ankle + knee joint exercise groupKnee: knee flexor and extensor, isometric squat hold Ankle: plantar flexor, dorsi flexor and lunge | Other | AK group |
| Stretching groupEducation Handout on Lower Limb Stretching | Other | Stretching group |
Primary outcome
Single Leg Landing Task
Time frame: 2 minute
The participant stood on a 30 cm box and first bent the non-testing leg's knee to approximately 90 degrees. After stabilizing, the participant jumped forward with the testing leg to a target 10 cm away from the box, maintaining balance for five seconds upon landing.
5 secondary outcomes
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Time frame: 1 minute
Patellar Tendon Stiffness Measurement
Time frame: 3 minute
Muscle structure
Time frame: 15 minute
Ankle Joint ROM
Time frame: 3 minute
Maximum Voluntary Isometric Strength
Time frame: 15 minute
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 7 Oct 2025.
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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 hip + knee joint exercise group, ankle + knee joint exercise group and Stretching group in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Anterior Knee Pain, run by Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
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 4 inclusion and 7 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 7 Oct 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 Taiwan. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
Single Leg Landing Task (time frame: 2 minute). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 7 Oct 2025.