Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome"MTPP"NCT07445607
"Mulligan Technique vs Phonophoresis With Chitosan for Patellofemoral Pain"
A study testing Mulligan technique, Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel and Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Ahram Canadian University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition causing pain and dysfunction. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two physical therapy treatments for PFPS: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique versus phonophoresis with chitosan gel. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Mulligan technique, Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel and Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 45 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2026to Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Insidious onset of anterior knee pain
- Retro patellar or peripatellar pain
- Pain duration more than four weeks (chronic/subacute)
- Pain severity ≥ 3/10 on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Pain during at least two of the following activities: stair ascent or descent, squatting, prolonged sitting (theater sign), or kneeling
- Positive patellar compression test (pain reproduced by compressing the patella into the trochlear groove)
Show all 9Show fewer
- Patellar tenderness along the medial or lateral borders
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Baseline Kujala score (Arabic version): approximately 67-71 (indicating moderate to severe dysfunction)
Who cannot join
- Traumatic injury (e.g., dislocation, fracture, ligament or meniscus pathology)
- Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout)
- Prior knee surgery
- Current use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site
Ahram Canadian unveracity
Cairo, Giza Governorate, 12573
Nashwa Allam Alla Elden Alam, Doctoral, +20 10 65357571, nashwa.allam@acu.edu.eg
About this study
Official title: Mulligan Technique Vs Phonophoresis With Chitosan Gel on Neuromuscular Control in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition causing pain and dysfunction. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two physical therapy treatments for PFPS: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique versus phonophoresis with chitosan gel.
Forty-five participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) Mulligan technique group, (2) Phonophoresis with chitosan gel group, or (3) Control group receiving standard physical therapy exercises. Each group will receive treatment 3 times per week for 4 weeks.
Read more
The researchers want to determine which treatment is more effective in improving neuromuscular control, reducing pain, and improving function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Participants will be assessed before and after the treatment period.
This study may help physical therapists and healthcare providers choose the most effective treatment approach for patients with patellofemoral pain.
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Being tested
- Mulligan technique, Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel, Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program
- 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.
Mulligan techniqueProcedure or surgery
Each mobilization with movement (MWM) is performed in three sets of 10 repetitions, with a 30-second rest interval between sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, before hip and knee strengthening exercises.
Phonophoresis with Chitosan GelProcedure or surgery
Phonophoresis (ultrasound with chitosan gel) is applied at 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm², continuous mode, for 5 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks before hip and knee exercises.
Standard Physical Therapy Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Participants attend 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session includes stretching and hip and knee focused exercises. Progression involves weekly increases in repetitions and resistance based on pain levels (less than 3/10).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mulligan Technique Group | Experimental | Participants receive hip and knee strengthening exercises combined with Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) technique for the patellofemoral joint. MWM is performed in three sets of 10 repetitions, with a 30-second rest interval between sets. Treatment sessions are conducted 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Receives: Procedure: Mulligan technique |
| Phonophoresis with Chitosan Group | Experimental | Phonophoresis (ultrasound with chitosan gel) is applied at 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm², continuous mode, for 5 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks before hip and knee exercises. Receives: Procedure: Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel |
| Control Group ( Standard Physical Therapy Group) | Active comparator | Participants receive standard physical therapy for patellofemoral pain consisting of hip and knee strengthening exercises, stretching, and functional training. Sessions are conducted 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Exercises include hip and knee strengthening exercises and stretches for the quadriceps, hamstring, iliotibial band, and calf muscles with weekly progression. Receives: Behavioral: Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maximal rate of force development (RFD)
Calculated from the slope of force- or torque-time curves obtained during rapid, explosive voluntary contractions also termed ballistic or rapid actions has become a key metric for assessing explosive strength in diverse populations, including athletes, older adults, and clinical patients
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Pain at patella
Pain measured using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS). The scale ranges from 0 to 100 points, with 0 indicating maximum disability and 100 indicating no disability. Higher scores indicate better outcome (less pain and better function)
Measured: Baseline and 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 Mar 2026
- Study start15 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2026 (estimated)
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.
- 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
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ahram Canadian University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mennat Allah Aldesouky, Ahram Canadian University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07445607
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CUPT-MULLIGAN-2026
- Acronym
- "MTPP"
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Mulligan Technique Vs Phonophoresis With Chitosan Gel on Neuromuscular Control in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07445607
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- "MTPP" / CUPT-MULLIGAN-2026
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ahram Canadian UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Mar 2026 (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 knee condition causing pain and dysfunction. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two physical therapy treatments for PFPS: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique versus phonophoresis with chitosan gel.
Forty-five participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) Mulligan technique group, (2) Phonophoresis with chitosan gel group, or (3) Control group receiving standard physical therapy exercises. Each group will receive treatment 3 times per week for 4 weeks.
The researchers want to determine which treatment is more effective in improving neuromuscular control, reducing pain, and improving function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Participants will be assessed before and after the treatment period.
This study may help physical therapists and healthcare providers choose the most effective treatment approach for patients with patellofemoral pain.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, care provider)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mulligan Technique Group | Experimental | Procedure: Mulligan techniqueParticipants receive hip and knee strengthening exercises combined with Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) technique for the patellofemoral joint. MWM is performed in three sets of 10 repetitions, with a 30-second rest interval between sets. Treatment sessions are conducted 3 times per week for 6 weeks. |
| Phonophoresis with Chitosan Group | Experimental | Procedure: Phonophoresis with Chitosan GelPhonophoresis (ultrasound with chitosan gel) is applied at 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm², continuous mode, for 5 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks before hip and knee exercises. |
| Control Group ( Standard Physical Therapy Group) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Standard Physical Therapy Exercise ProgramParticipants receive standard physical therapy for patellofemoral pain consisting of hip and knee strengthening exercises, stretching, and functional training. Sessions are conducted 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Exercises include hip and knee strengthening exercises and stretches for the quadriceps, hamstring, iliotibial band, and calf muscles with weekly progression. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Insidious onset of anterior knee pain
- Retro patellar or peripatellar pain
- Pain duration more than four weeks (chronic/subacute)
- Pain severity ≥ 3/10 on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Pain during at least two of the following activities: stair ascent or descent, squatting, prolonged sitting (theater sign), or kneeling
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Traumatic injury (e.g., dislocation, fracture, ligament or meniscus pathology)
- Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout)
- Prior knee surgery
- Current use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mulligan techniqueEach mobilization with movement (MWM) is performed in three sets of 10 repetitions, with a 30-second rest interval between sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, before hip and knee strengthening exercises. | Procedure or surgery | Mulligan Technique Group |
| Phonophoresis with Chitosan GelPhonophoresis (ultrasound with chitosan gel) is applied at 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm², continuous mode, for 5 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks before hip and knee exercises. | Procedure or surgery | Phonophoresis with Chitosan Group |
| Standard Physical Therapy Exercise ProgramParticipants attend 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session includes stretching and hip and knee focused exercises. Progression involves weekly increases in repetitions and resistance based on pain levels (less than 3/10). | Behavioural | Control Group ( Standard Physical Therapy Group) |
Primary outcome
Maximal rate of force development (RFD)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Calculated from the slope of force- or torque-time curves obtained during rapid, explosive voluntary contractions also termed ballistic or rapid actions has become a key metric for assessing explosive strength in diverse populations, including athletes, older adults, and clinical patients
Pain at patella
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Pain measured using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS). The scale ranges from 0 to 100 points, with 0 indicating maximum disability and 100 indicating no disability. Higher scores indicate better outcome (less pain and better function)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Mar 2026.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mulligan technique, Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel and Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Ahram Canadian University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 9 inclusion and 4 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Mar 2026. 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 Egypt. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mennat-Allah Ali Elshafey, Master degree (+201227232387, Mennatallah.elshafey@acu.edu.eg), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Maximal rate of force development (RFD) (time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 3 Mar 2026.