Telerehabilitation for Patellofemoral Pain (NCT07557784) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Telerehabilitation for Patellofemoral Pain
106 participantsStarted 2026-05-20
Plain-language summary
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain around or behind the patella during activities such as stair ambulation, squatting, running, jumping, and prolonged sitting. Exercise therapy combined with patient education is considered first-line treatment, and supervised rehabilitation is commonly used to improve adherence and clinical outcomes.
Telerehabilitation may increase accessibility and reduce time and travel burden, but high-quality evidence remains limited regarding whether telerehabilitation provides outcomes that are not inferior to conventional face-to-face supervised rehabilitation in individuals with PFP.
This study is a randomized, assessor-blinded, non-inferiority trial designed to compare telerehabilitation with face-to-face supervised rehabilitation in individuals with patellofemoral pain. The trial will evaluate whether telerehabilitation is not inferior to face-to-face supervised rehabilitation in improving pain and knee-related function, while also examining psychological outcomes, self-satisfaction, and adherence.
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
* Aged 18 to 45 years
* Clinical diagnosis of patellofemoral pain
* History of anterior or retropatellar knee pain for at least 3 months
* Pain provoked by at least two of the following activities: stair ambulation, squatting, running, jumping, or prolonged sitting
* Baseline knee pain intensity of at least 3/10 on the Numerical Rating Pain Scale
* Willing and able to participate in the rehabilitation program and follow-up assessments
* Able to provide written informed consent
* Exclusion Criteria
* Previous knee surgery
* History of patellar dislocation or instability
* Evidence of ligament injury, meniscal injury requiring separate management, moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, or other major structural knee pathology
* Concurrent hip, ankle, lumbar spine, or other musculoskeletal disorders substantially affecting lower limb function
* Neurological disorders affecting movement or balance
* Severe cardiopulmonary or systemic disease contraindicating exercise
* Received structured lower limb rehabilitation within the previous 3 months
* Pregnancy
* Any other condition judged by the investigators to make participation unsuitable
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.