Effects of Clamshell Exercises in Addition to Standardized Physical Therapy in the Management of … (NCT07730437) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effects of Clamshell Exercises in Addition to Standardized Physical Therapy in the Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Pakistan40 participantsStarted 2026-01-10
Plain-language 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). 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.
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:
* 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.
Exclusion Criteria:
* 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.
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
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Timeframe: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)