Patellofemoral Pain, PFPNCT07535866
Remote Step Rate and Load Based Interventions in Runners With Patellofemoral Pain
A study testing Step Rate Increase + Load Reduction and Load Reduction Group in people with Patellofemoral Pain, PFP, run by Cardiff Metropolitan University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to explore two remote running programs in runners with patellofemoral pain. One program asks runners to increase their step rate and reduce their training load, while the other asks runners to only reduce their training load. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Patellofemoral Pain, PFP
- What is being tested?
- Step Rate Increase + Load Reduction and Load Reduction Group
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 52 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 3 Mar 2025to 21 Feb 2026
- 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 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- currently running more than twice a week and ≥ 30 mins in total per week.
- participants were required to have pain behind or adjacent to the patella (of at least 20 out of 100 pain on a 0-100 visual analogue scale from "no pain" to "worst imaginable pain") whilst running.
- participants were required to experience low level pain (at least 20 out of 100 on a visual analogue) during one or more of the following activities: squatting, kneeling, prolonged sitting, walking up or downstairs.
- duration of patellofemoral pain symptoms was required to be 3 months or greater prior to participation.
- participants were required to have a compatible running watch that they were happy to onboard to DashLX to share their running load metrics
- be willing to take part in a study that may ask them to alter their running load.
Who cannot join
- currently suffering from any lower limb injuries (e.g. to hip, knee, calf, foot etc) or having sustained any such injury in the past 3 months
- currently undergoing any other forms of treatment for the knee pain
- having a neurological impediment affecting gait
- currently pregnant or within 3 months of giving birth
- suffer from any cardiovascular pathology
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Randomised Control Trial of Remote Step Rate and Load Based Interventions in Runners With Patellofemoral Pain
The goal of this clinical trial is to explore two remote running programs in runners with patellofemoral pain. One program asks runners to increase their step rate and reduce their training load, while the other asks runners to only reduce their training load. The study will compare these two programs with a control group who continue running as usual. It will also examine whether changes in running load and psychosocial factors are related to changes in pain and function.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- Can these remote running programs reduce knee pain and improve function in runners with patellofemoral pain compared to the control group?
- Is reducing training load plus increasing step rate more effective than reducing training load alone?
- Are changes in running load, step rate, psychological and social factors related to improvements in pain and function? Researchers will compare a step rate increase plus load reduction group, a load reduction only group, and a control group to see which approach leads to the greatest improvements in pain and function.
Participants will:
- Complete online questionnaires about knee pain, knee function, and related psychosocial factors
- Share running load data from their watch using an online platform
- Follow 4 weeks of instructions based on their assigned group
- Complete follow-up surveys 1, 2 and 6 months after the 4-week intervention period.
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain, PFP
- Being tested
- Step Rate Increase + Load Reduction, Load Reduction Group
- Keywords
- Patellofemoral pain, Running, Retraining, Step Rate, Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophising, Social Support, Function, Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Kinesiophobia, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Step Rate Increase + Load ReductionBehavioural
Runners in this group were advised on how to increase (5%) their step rate during running. During week 1 of the intervention runners in this group were advised to use a metronome while running to match their footfalls to the beat. The metronome was set at a rate of their baseline step rate plus 5% (e.g. a pre-intervention step rate of 160 would lead to the metronome being set at 168). During week 2 runners were advised to try running with the increased step rate without the metronome and just using their running device to monitor. They were advised to use the metronome if they felt it was necessary to maintain the step rate change. During week 3 participants were advised to monitor the step rate increase with the running device. Finally, during week 4 participants were asked to only monitor step rate post run. Runners in this group also received the same advice as the load reduction only group on reducing their training load.
Load Reduction GroupBehavioural
Runners allocated to the LR group were advised to reduce their weekly running load during the 4-week intervention period. They were asked to decrease their total running volume to reduce their knee pain to 20 out of 100 (by reducing duration and distance of runs). No specific quantity of volume reduction was imposed. They were asked to avoid running that involves inclines and declines. They were asked to avoid speed sessions in their weekly running. Runners were instructed to maintain a pain level at no more than 20 out of 100 VAS when running. If pain remained below this level, they were advised to gradually increase their running load the following week.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Step Rate + Load Reduction Group | Experimental | This group received an intervention that aimed to increase their step rate by 5% and instructions on reducing their running load. Receives: Behavioral: Step Rate Increase + Load Reduction |
| Load Reduction Group | Experimental | Runners allocated to this group received instructions on reducing their running load. Receives: Behavioral: Load Reduction Group |
| Control Group | No intervention | Runners assigned to this group were asked to continue their normal running routine for the duration of the intervention period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Knee Pain
Knee pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale of 0-100 with "0" corresponding to "no pain, and a "100" corresponding to "worst imaginable pain". Participants were asked to rate their knee pain from the previous week during running, usual and worst.
Measured: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Secondary outcomes (6)
Knee Function
Knee function was reported using the patellofemoral pain and osteoarthritis subscale of the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS-PF; 11-item). Scores can range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating better function.
Measured: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Kinesiophobia
The 11-item TAMPA scale of kinesiophobia was used to assess fear of movement. Each item is scored on a 4-point likert scale, with a higher score indicating greater kinesiophobia.
Measured: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Pain Catastrophising
Pain catastrophising was measured using the 13-item pain catastrophising scale. It has 3 subdomains of rumination, magnification and helplessness. Scores can range from 0-52, with higher scores indicating higher amounts of pain catastrophising.
Measured: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Social Support
Received social support was measured using a 5-point likert scale for each of the 4 domains of social support (esteem, emotional, tangible, informational). Participants were asked to rate "the extent to which you have actually received the following types of support in relation to your knee pain during the previous 4 weeks". The minimum value was 0 and maximum was 4 for each domain. Higher scores indicated participants had received more support.
Measured: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Running Load Metrics
Participants were also required to sign their running watch up to the online platform DashLX to share running load metrics. A pre-study snapshot of the previous 12-weeks before starting was used to establish baseline running load. Then, all runs during the study period were shared in order to record running load metrics throughout participation in the study. To assess running load, cumulative 4-week running distance was calculated, which was the sum of the distance covered (km) during all runs in the four weeks prior to the data collection timepoint (pre-intervention, post-intervention and 1-month, 2-month and 6-month follow up). Weekly data was also reported.
Measured: Running load data was collected throughout the study period. Summaries of 4-week periods were reported at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Step Rate
Participants were also required to sign their running watch up to the online platform DashLX to share running load metrics. A pre-study snapshot of the previous 12-weeks before starting was used to establish baseline step rate. Then, all runs during the study period were shared in order to record running step rate throughout participation in the study. To monitor step rate, the mean step rate from all runs during each period was computed. Weekly data was also reported.
Measured: Step rate data was collected throughout the study period. Summaries of 4-week periods were reported at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Apr 2026
- Study start3 Mar 2025
- Primary completion21 Feb 2026
- Study completion21 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Patellofemoral Pain, PFPStudies 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
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Hazel Tucker, Cardiff Metropolitan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07535866
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PGR-10673
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All IPD that will be shared will be de-identified and for manuscript and publishing purposes only.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Randomised Control Trial of Remote Step Rate and Load Based Interventions in Runners With Patellofemoral Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07535866
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PGR-10673
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain, PFP
- Keywords
- Patellofemoral pain, Running, Retraining, Step Rate, Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophising, Social Support, Function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 21 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 21 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Apr 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.
The goal of this clinical trial is to explore two remote running programs in runners with patellofemoral pain. One program asks runners to increase their step rate and reduce their training load, while the other asks runners to only reduce their training load. The study will compare these two programs with a control group who continue running as usual. It will also examine whether changes in running load and psychosocial factors are related to changes in pain and function.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Can these remote running programs reduce knee pain and improve function in runners with patellofemoral pain compared to the control group?
- Is reducing training load plus increasing step rate more effective than reducing training load alone?
- Are changes in running load, step rate, psychological and social factors related to improvements in pain and function? Researchers will compare a step rate increase plus load reduction group, a load reduction only group, and a control group to see which approach leads to the greatest improvements in pain and function.
Participants will:
- Complete online questionnaires about knee pain, knee function, and related psychosocial factors
- Share running load data from their watch using an online platform
- Follow 4 weeks of instructions based on their assigned group
- Complete follow-up surveys 1, 2 and 6 months after the 4-week intervention period.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Step Rate + Load Reduction Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Step Rate Increase + Load ReductionThis group received an intervention that aimed to increase their step rate by 5% and instructions on reducing their running load. |
| Load Reduction Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Load Reduction GroupRunners allocated to this group received instructions on reducing their running load. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Runners assigned to this group were asked to continue their normal running routine for the duration of the intervention period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- currently running more than twice a week and ≥ 30 mins in total per week.
- participants were required to have pain behind or adjacent to the patella (of at least 20 out of 100 pain on a 0-100 visual analogue scale from "no pain" to "worst imaginable pain") whilst running.
- participants were required to experience low level pain (at least 20 out of 100 on a visual analogue) during one or more of the following activities: squatting, kneeling, prolonged sitting, walking up or downstairs.
- duration of patellofemoral pain symptoms was required to be 3 months or greater prior to participation.
- participants were required to have a compatible running watch that they were happy to onboard to DashLX to share their running load metrics
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- currently suffering from any lower limb injuries (e.g. to hip, knee, calf, foot etc) or having sustained any such injury in the past 3 months
- currently undergoing any other forms of treatment for the knee pain
- having a neurological impediment affecting gait
- currently pregnant or within 3 months of giving birth
- suffer from any cardiovascular pathology
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Step Rate Increase + Load ReductionRunners in this group were advised on how to increase (5%) their step rate during running. During week 1 of the intervention runners in this group were advised to use a metronome while running to match their footfalls to the beat. The metronome was set at a rate of their baseline step rate plus 5% (e.g. a pre-intervention step rate of 160 would lead to the metronome being set at 168). During week 2 runners were advised to try running with the increased step rate without the metronome and just using their running device to monitor. They were advised to use the metronome if they felt it was necessary to maintain the step rate change. During week 3 participants were advised to monitor the step rate increase with the running device. Finally, during week 4 participants were asked to only monitor step rate post run. Runners in this group also received the same advice as the load reduction only group on reducing their training load. | Behavioural | Step Rate + Load Reduction Group |
| Load Reduction GroupRunners allocated to the LR group were advised to reduce their weekly running load during the 4-week intervention period. They were asked to decrease their total running volume to reduce their knee pain to 20 out of 100 (by reducing duration and distance of runs). No specific quantity of volume reduction was imposed. They were asked to avoid running that involves inclines and declines. They were asked to avoid speed sessions in their weekly running. Runners were instructed to maintain a pain level at no more than 20 out of 100 VAS when running. If pain remained below this level, they were advised to gradually increase their running load the following week. | Behavioural | Load Reduction Group |
Primary outcome
Knee Pain
Time frame: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Knee pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale of 0-100 with "0" corresponding to "no pain, and a "100" corresponding to "worst imaginable pain". Participants were asked to rate their knee pain from the previous week during running, usual and worst.
6 secondary outcomes
Knee Function
Time frame: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Kinesiophobia
Time frame: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Pain Catastrophising
Time frame: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Social Support
Time frame: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Running Load Metrics
Time frame: Running load data was collected throughout the study period. Summaries of 4-week periods were reported at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
Step Rate
Time frame: Step rate data was collected throughout the study period. Summaries of 4-week periods were reported at pre-intervention, after week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.
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 17 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All IPD that will be shared will be de-identified and for manuscript and publishing purposes only.
Related trials for Patellofemoral Pain, PFP
Not yet recruiting
The Effect of a Treatment Protocol Focused on Neuromuscular Control Exercises on Pain and Function in a Subgroup of Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain
Patellofemoral Pain
Active, not recruiting
Telerehabilitation for Patellofemoral Pain
Patellofemoral Pain, PFP
Active, not recruiting
Gait Retraining for Runners With Patellofemoral Pain
Patellofemoral Pain, PFP
Not yet recruiting
Comparison Between Foot Segment Mulligan Mobilization and Ilium Mulligan Mobilization in Treatment Patellofemoral Pain Patients With Flatfeet: a Randomized Controlled Comparative Study
Patellofemoral Pain, PFP, Flatfeet
Recruiting
Effects of Kinesio Taping Versus McConnell Taping on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome, Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome
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 Step Rate Increase + Load Reduction and Load Reduction Group in people with Patellofemoral Pain, PFP, run by Cardiff Metropolitan University at 1 site in United Kingdom.
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 6 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 17 Apr 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 United Kingdom. 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?
Knee Pain (time frame: This was measured at pre-intervention, after week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4 (immediately after the intervention) and at 1-, 2-, 6-months follow up.). 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 17 Apr 2026.