CompletedNot Applicable

Strain Counterstrain Versus Graston Technique for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Pakistan60 participantsStarted 2025-11-02

Plain-language summary

This clinical trial compares the effects of Strain Counterstrain technique versus Graston Technique on pain and range of motion in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Adults with patellofemoral pain syndrome were included in this study. A total of 60 participants were divided into two groups with 30 patients in each group. One group received Strain Counterstrain technique and the other group received Graston Technique. Pain was assessed using the Kujala Scoring System and functional status was measured using a substructural questionnaire. Range of motion was also evaluated before and after treatment. The main goal of this study is to determine which technique is more effective in reducing pain and improving knee function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

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: * Age 18-45 years. * Anterior or peripatellar knee discomfort reproduced by a minimum of two aggravating exercises (e.g., squatting, stairs, running, prolonged sitting). * No history of trauma. * On the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), pain severity is ≥3/10 at baseline. * Symptom duration ≥2 months. * Ability to understand instructions and provide informed consent (or parental consent for minors). Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals who have had lower limb surgery within the previous 12 months * Existence of other knee pathologies (e.g., meniscal tear with locking, tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis). * Skin infection, open wound, or dermatological condition at the treatment site. * Use of anticoagulants/bleeding disorders or recent corticosteroid injection within 3 months. * Receipt of manual therapy (SCS, IASTM/Graston) to the affected knee within the past 4 weeks.

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

Change in Pain and Function using Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07589933

SponsorGreen International University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-04-29

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome trials