A Self-Directed Web-Based Education for Boston Marathon Runners With Patellofemoral Pain (NCT07266922) | Clinical Trial Compass
By InvitationNot Applicable
A Self-Directed Web-Based Education for Boston Marathon Runners With Patellofemoral Pain
United States104 participantsStarted 2026-02-20
Plain-language summary
Runners experience diverse lower extremity injuries, and the most common is patellofemoral pain (PFP)-commonly known as "runner's knee" and characterized by pain around and/or behind the kneecap. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week, self-directed, web-based education program for runners competing in the 2026 Boston Marathon. The study will evaluate outcomes, including pain, function, and marathon performance, in runners who use a web-based educational program designed to help them understand and manage knee pain. There will be two groups: Group 1 will receive the 6-week web-based educational program prior to the 2026 Boston Marathon, while Group 2 will serve as the wait-and-see control group (no intervention) prior to the marathon and then receive the same program 6 weeks after completing the marathon.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 45 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Insidious onset of peripatellar and/or retropatellar pain ≥3 months
* Worst pain level in the previous week ≥3/10 on the numeric pain rating scale
* Pain during at least two of the following tasks: prolonged sitting, kneeling, squatting, walking, running, jumping, and stair negotiation.
* All participants must have access to an internet-enabled device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone) equipped with audio capabilities sufficient to engage with the web-based education platform
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of lower extremity surgery
* History of lower extremity pain or injury (other than patellofemoral pain) in the previous six months
* History of patellar dislocation or subluxation
* Internal derangement (e.g., meniscal lesion)
* Ligamentous instability
* Other sources of anterior knee pain (e.g., patellar tendinopathy, bursitis)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Clinical outcomes (pain)
Timeframe: 6-weeks leading up to the Boston Marathon, or 6-weeks post completion of Boston Marathon
2
Clinical outcomes (self-reported function)
Timeframe: 6-weeks leading up to the Boston Marathon, or 6-weeks post completion of Boston Marathon
3
Clinical outcomes (global rating of change)
Timeframe: 6-weeks leading up to the Boston Marathon, or 6-weeks post completion of Boston Marathon