Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeNCT07730437
Effects of Clamshell Exercises in Addition to Standardized Physical Therapy in the Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
A study testing Standardized Physical Therapy and Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell Exercise in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Anterior Knee Pain, run by Ibadat International University, Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether adding clamshell exercises to standardized physical therapy provides greater improvements in pain and knee function than standardized physical therapy alone in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Anterior Knee Pain
- What is being tested?
- Standardized Physical Therapy and Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 10 Jan 2026to 10 Jun 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
- Adults aged 18 to 45 years. Male or female participants. Clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) clinical practice guidelines.
- Presence of retropatellar or peripatellar pain. Reproduction of retropatellar or peripatellar pain during squatting or other functional activities that load the patellofemoral joint in knee flexion.
- Symptoms present for at least 3 months. Pain intensity of ≥3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) during aggravating activities.
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with the study procedures.
Who cannot join
- History of knee surgery, ligament injury, meniscal tear, patellar dislocation, or knee osteoarthritis.
- Lumbar radiculopathy, hip pathology, or systemic inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
- Corticosteroid injection or knee surgery within the previous 3 months. Neuromuscular disorders affecting muscle function (e.g., stroke or Parkinson's disease).
- Pregnancy or within 6 months postpartum. Family history of early degenerative joint disease. Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would interfere with safe participation or completion of the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Clamshell Exercises in Addition to Standardized Physical Therapy in the Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether adding clamshell exercises to standardized physical therapy provides greater improvements in pain and knee function than standardized physical therapy alone in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain around or behind the kneecap that is aggravated by activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, and prolonged sitting.
Participants aged 18-45 years with clinically diagnosed PFPS will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive standardized physical therapy consisting of warm-up exercises, stretching, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down activities. The experimental group will receive the same standardized physical therapy program with the addition of clamshell exercises targeting the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles.
Both groups will participate in supervised treatment sessions lasting approximately 45 minutes, three times per week, for four weeks. Pain intensity will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and knee function will be assessed using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale before and after the intervention. The findings of this study may help determine whether incorporating clamshell exercises into routine physiotherapy improves rehabilitation outcomes for patients with PFPS.
Read the detailed description
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain, affecting both physically active individuals and the general population. The condition is associated with pain during activities that increase patellofemoral joint loading, including squatting, stair climbing, running, jumping, and prolonged sitting. Altered lower-limb biomechanics, particularly weakness of the hip abductors and external rotators, may contribute to excessive femoral internal rotation and dynamic knee valgus, thereby increasing patellofemoral joint stress.
Conventional physiotherapy for PFPS typically includes stretching, quadriceps strengthening, and functional rehabilitation. Although these interventions are beneficial, many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms or recurrence. Recent evidence suggests that strengthening the hip musculature, particularly the gluteus medius, may improve lower-limb alignment and reduce patellofemoral joint stress. The clamshell exercise is a simple, low-cost exercise designed to activate the hip abductors and external rotators and may provide additional clinical benefit when combined with standard physiotherapy.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether adding clamshell exercises to standardized physical therapy results in greater reductions in pain and improvements in knee function compared with standardized physical therapy alone in patients with PFPS.
Participants aged 18-45 years who meet the American Physical Therapy Association clinical diagnostic criteria for PFPS and have symptoms lasting at least three months with a pain score of 3 or higher on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be recruited. Participants with previous knee surgery, significant ligament or meniscal injuries, patellar dislocation, osteoarthritis, lumbar radiculopathy, hip pathology, systemic inflammatory arthritis, recent corticosteroid injection or surgery, neuromuscular disorders, pregnancy, or other exclusion criteria will not be eligible.
Approximately 40 participants will be enrolled using purposive sampling after accounting for potential loss to follow-up. Participants will be randomly allocated into one of two treatment groups:
Control Group: Standardized physical therapy. Experimental Group: Standardized physical therapy plus clamshell exercises.
Both groups will receive equal treatment duration of approximately 45 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks. Standardized physical therapy includes warm-up activities, stretching of the hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius-soleus complex, and iliotibial band, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down stretching. The experimental group will additionally perform side-lying clamshell exercises (3 sets of 12-15 repetitions) during each treatment session.
Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Pain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), while knee function will be assessed using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale. Statistical analyses will be conducted using SPSS version 27. Appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests will be selected based on data distribution, with statistical significance established at p < 0.05.
Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethics Review Committee of Ibadat International University, Islamabad, and permission will be obtained from Alkhidmat Hospital, Peshawar. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before enrollment. Participant confidentiality will be maintained throughout the study, and participation will be voluntary with the right to withdraw at any stage without penalty.
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Anterior Knee Pain
- Being tested
- Standardized Physical Therapy, Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell Exercise
- Keywords
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Anterior Knee Pain, Clamshell Exercise, Hip Abductor Strengthening
- 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.
Standardized Physical TherapyBehavioural
Also called Conventional Physiotherapy
Standardized physical therapy consists of warm-up exercises, stretching of the hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius-soleus, and iliotibial band, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises (including static quadriceps exercises, straight leg raises, hip strengthening exercises, and mini-squats), followed by cool-down stretching. The control group receives this intervention for approximately 35 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks.
Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell ExerciseBehavioural
Also called Side-lying Clamshell Exercise
Participants perform side-lying clamshell exercises to strengthen the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles. The exercise is performed as 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions under physiotherapist supervision. This intervention is added to standardized physical therapy in the experimental group, resulting in a total treatment time of approximately 45 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Standardized Physical Therapy (Control) | Experimental | Participants will receive standardized physical therapy consisting of warm-up exercises, stretching, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down activities. Each treatment session will last approximately 35 minutes, three times per week for four weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Standardized Physical Therapy |
| Standardized Physical Therapy + Clamshell Exercises | Experimental | Participants will receive standardized physical therapy together with side-lying clamshell exercises targeting the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles. Treatment sessions will last approximately 45 minutes, three times per week for four weeks. The only additional intervention compared with the control group is the inclusion of clamshell exercises. Receives: Behavioral: Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. The primary outcome is the change in NPRS score from baseline to the end of the intervention.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Knee Function Measured by the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale
Knee function will be evaluated using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale, a validated patient-reported outcome measure assessing symptoms and functional limitations associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The secondary outcome is the change in Kujala score from baseline to the end of the intervention.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Jul 2026
- Study start10 Jan 2026
- Primary completion30 May 2026
- Study completion10 Jun 2026
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 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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The control group will receive standardized physical therapy for 35 minutes per session, while the experimental group will receive standardized physical therapy plus clamshell exercises for a total of 45 minutes per session. Both groups will attend supervised treatment sessions three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes will be compared between groups at baseline and after completion of the intervention.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ibadat International University, Islamabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Dr Muhammad Nazim Farooq Dean, Phd, Principal investigator, Ibadat International University, Islamabad
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07730437
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/O2/229
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) collected during this study will not be made publicly available because informed consent for public data sharing was not obtained, and sharing could compromise participant confidentiality. Aggregate study results will be reported in publications and presentations without identifying individual participants.
Publications
Neal BS, Lack SD, Lankhorst NE, Raye A, Morrissey D, van Middelkoop M. Risk factors for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2019;53(5):270-81. 2. Lack S, Barton C, Sohan O, Crossley K, Morrissey D. Proximal muscle rehabilitation is effective for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med.2015;49(21):1365-76. 3. Rathleff MS, Roos EM, Olesen JL, Rasmussen S. Exercise during school hours when added to patient education improves outcome for 2 years in adolescent patellofemoral pain: a cluster randomised trial. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(6):406-12. 4. Bolgla LA, Boling MC. An update for the conservative management of patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2010. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2011;6(2):112-25. 5. Powers CM. The influence of abnormal hip mechanics on knee injury: a biomechanical perspective. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(2):42-51. 6. Ferber R, Bolgla L, Earl-Boehm JE, Emery C, Hamstra-Wright K. Strengthening of the hip and core versus knee muscles for the treatment of patellofemoral pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. J Athl Train. 2015;50(4):366-77. 7. Khayambashi K, Fallah A, Movahedi A, Bagwell J, Powers C. Posterolateral hip muscle strengthening versus quadriceps strengthening for patellofemoral pain: a comparative control trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014;95(5):900-7. 8. Santos TR, Oliveira BA, Ocarino JM, Holt KG, Fonseca ST. Effectiveness of hip muscle strengthening in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients: a systematic review. Braz J Phys Ther. 2015;19(3):167-76. 9. Kamel AM, Ghuiba K, Abd Allah DS, Fayaz NA, Abdelkader NA. Effect of adding short foot exercise to hip and knee focused exercises in treatment of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Orthop Surg Res. 2024;19(1):207. 10. Alammari A, Spence N, Narayan A, Karnad SD, Ottayil ZC. Effect of hip abductors and lateral rotators' mu
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Clamshell Exercises in Addition to Standardized Physical Therapy in the Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07730437
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/O2/229
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Anterior Knee Pain
- Keywords
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Anterior Knee Pain, Clamshell Exercise, Hip Abductor Strengthening
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ibadat International University, IslamabadUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Jul 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.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether adding clamshell exercises to standardized physical therapy provides greater improvements in pain and knee function than standardized physical therapy alone in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain around or behind the kneecap that is aggravated by activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, and prolonged sitting.
Participants aged 18-45 years with clinically diagnosed PFPS will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive standardized physical therapy consisting of warm-up exercises, stretching, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down activities. The experimental group will receive the same standardized physical therapy program with the addition of clamshell exercises targeting the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles.
Both groups will participate in supervised treatment sessions lasting approximately 45 minutes, three times per week, for four weeks. Pain intensity will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and knee function will be assessed using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale before and after the intervention. The findings of this study may help determine whether incorporating clamshell exercises into routine physiotherapy improves rehabilitation outcomes for patients with PFPS.
Detailed description
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain, affecting both physically active individuals and the general population. The condition is associated with pain during activities that increase patellofemoral joint loading, including squatting, stair climbing, running, jumping, and prolonged sitting. Altered lower-limb biomechanics, particularly weakness of the hip abductors and external rotators, may contribute to excessive femoral internal rotation and dynamic knee valgus, thereby increasing patellofemoral joint stress.
Conventional physiotherapy for PFPS typically includes stretching, quadriceps strengthening, and functional rehabilitation. Although these interventions are beneficial, many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms or recurrence. Recent evidence suggests that strengthening the hip musculature, particularly the gluteus medius, may improve lower-limb alignment and reduce patellofemoral joint stress. The clamshell exercise is a simple, low-cost exercise designed to activate the hip abductors and external rotators and may provide additional clinical benefit when combined with standard physiotherapy.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether adding clamshell exercises to standardized physical therapy results in greater reductions in pain and improvements in knee function compared with standardized physical therapy alone in patients with PFPS.
Participants aged 18-45 years who meet the American Physical Therapy Association clinical diagnostic criteria for PFPS and have symptoms lasting at least three months with a pain score of 3 or higher on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be recruited. Participants with previous knee surgery, significant ligament or meniscal injuries, patellar dislocation, osteoarthritis, lumbar radiculopathy, hip pathology, systemic inflammatory arthritis, recent corticosteroid injection or surgery, neuromuscular disorders, pregnancy, or other exclusion criteria will not be eligible.
Approximately 40 participants will be enrolled using purposive sampling after accounting for potential loss to follow-up. Participants will be randomly allocated into one of two treatment groups:
Control Group: Standardized physical therapy. Experimental Group: Standardized physical therapy plus clamshell exercises.
Both groups will receive equal treatment duration of approximately 45 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks. Standardized physical therapy includes warm-up activities, stretching of the hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius-soleus complex, and iliotibial band, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down stretching. The experimental group will additionally perform side-lying clamshell exercises (3 sets of 12-15 repetitions) during each treatment session.
Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Pain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), while knee function will be assessed using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale. Statistical analyses will be conducted using SPSS version 27. Appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests will be selected based on data distribution, with statistical significance established at p < 0.05.
Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethics Review Committee of Ibadat International University, Islamabad, and permission will be obtained from Alkhidmat Hospital, Peshawar. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before enrollment. Participant confidentiality will be maintained throughout the study, and participation will be voluntary with the right to withdraw at any stage without penalty.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The control group will receive standardized physical therapy for 35 minutes per session, while the experimental group will receive standardized physical therapy plus clamshell exercises for a total of 45 minutes per session. Both groups will attend supervised treatment sessions three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes will be compared between groups at baseline and after completion of the intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Standardized Physical Therapy (Control) | Experimental | Behavioral: Standardized Physical TherapyParticipants will receive standardized physical therapy consisting of warm-up exercises, stretching, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down activities. Each treatment session will last approximately 35 minutes, three times per week for four weeks. |
| Standardized Physical Therapy + Clamshell Exercises | Experimental | Behavioral: Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell ExerciseParticipants will receive standardized physical therapy together with side-lying clamshell exercises targeting the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles. Treatment sessions will last approximately 45 minutes, three times per week for four weeks. The only additional intervention compared with the control group is the inclusion of clamshell exercises. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adults aged 18 to 45 years. Male or female participants. Clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) clinical practice guidelines.
- Presence of retropatellar or peripatellar pain. Reproduction of retropatellar or peripatellar pain during squatting or other functional activities that load the patellofemoral joint in knee flexion.
- Symptoms present for at least 3 months. Pain intensity of ≥3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) during aggravating activities.
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with the study procedures.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- History of knee surgery, ligament injury, meniscal tear, patellar dislocation, or knee osteoarthritis.
- Lumbar radiculopathy, hip pathology, or systemic inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
- Corticosteroid injection or knee surgery within the previous 3 months. Neuromuscular disorders affecting muscle function (e.g., stroke or Parkinson's disease).
- Pregnancy or within 6 months postpartum. Family history of early degenerative joint disease. Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would interfere with safe participation or completion of the study.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Standardized Physical TherapyAlso: Conventional PhysiotherapyStandardized physical therapy consists of warm-up exercises, stretching of the hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius-soleus, and iliotibial band, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises (including static quadriceps exercises, straight leg raises, hip strengthening exercises, and mini-squats), followed by cool-down stretching. The control group receives this intervention for approximately 35 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks. | Behavioural | Standardized Physical Therapy (Control) |
| Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell ExerciseAlso: Side-lying Clamshell ExerciseParticipants perform side-lying clamshell exercises to strengthen the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles. The exercise is performed as 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions under physiotherapist supervision. This intervention is added to standardized physical therapy in the experimental group, resulting in a total treatment time of approximately 45 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks. | Behavioural | Standardized Physical Therapy + Clamshell Exercises |
Primary outcome
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. The primary outcome is the change in NPRS score from baseline to the end of the intervention.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Knee Function Measured by the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
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 28 Jul 2026.
- Results publicationNeal BS, Lack SD, Lankhorst NE, Raye A, Morrissey D, van Middelkoop M. Risk factors for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2019;53(5):270-81. 2. Lack S, Barton C, Sohan O, Crossley K, Morrissey D. Proximal muscle rehabilitation is effective for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med.2015;49(21):1365-76. 3. Rathleff MS, Roos EM, Olesen JL, Rasmussen S. Exercise during school hours when added to patient education improves outcome for 2 years in adolescent patellofemoral pain: a cluster randomised trial. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(6):406-12. 4. Bolgla LA, Boling MC. An update for the conservative management of patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2010. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2011;6(2):112-25. 5. Powers CM. The influence of abnormal hip mechanics on knee injury: a biomechanical perspective. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(2):42-51. 6. Ferber R, Bolgla L, Earl-Boehm JE, Emery C, Hamstra-Wright K. Strengthening of the hip and core versus knee muscles for the treatment of patellofemoral pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. J Athl Train. 2015;50(4):366-77. 7. Khayambashi K, Fallah A, Movahedi A, Bagwell J, Powers C. Posterolateral hip muscle strengthening versus quadriceps strengthening for patellofemoral pain: a comparative control trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014;95(5):900-7. 8. Santos TR, Oliveira BA, Ocarino JM, Holt KG, Fonseca ST. Effectiveness of hip muscle strengthening in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients: a systematic review. Braz J Phys Ther. 2015;19(3):167-76. 9. Kamel AM, Ghuiba K, Abd Allah DS, Fayaz NA, Abdelkader NA. Effect of adding short foot exercise to hip and knee focused exercises in treatment of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Orthop Surg Res. 2024;19(1):207. 10. Alammari A, Spence N, Narayan A, Karnad SD, Ottayil ZC. Effect of hip abductors and lateral rotators' mu
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) collected during this study will not be made publicly available because informed consent for public data sharing was not obtained, and sharing could compromise participant confidentiality. Aggregate study results will be reported in publications and presentations without identifying individual participants.
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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.
Dr Muhammad Nazim Farooq Dean, Phd principal investigator
Ibadat International University, Islamabad
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Standardized Physical Therapy and Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell Exercise in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Anterior Knee Pain, run by Ibadat International University, Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Jul 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 Pakistan. 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?
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)). 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 NCT07730437, 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 28 Jul 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.