CompletedNot Applicable

Motor Control Retraining vs Close Kinetic Chain Exercises for Pain, Function and Vastus Medialis Oblique Strength in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Pakistan50 participantsStarted 2026-04-24

Plain-language summary

This study compares two treatments - motor control retraining and close kinetic chain exercises - to improves the pain, VMO strength, knee function. Fifty participants out of which 4 dropped out; will be randomly assigned to receive either motor control retraining or close kinetic chain exercises training for 45 minutes per session, three times per week, for six weeks. Pain intensity will be measured using the visual analogue scale. Knee function will be measured using Kujala anterior knee pain scale. Vastus medialis oblique strength will be measured using digital dynamometer. Dynamic knee valgus will be measured using Kinovea-2D video analysis. Q-angle will be measured using manual goniometer. Patellar maltracking will be measured using combined assessment of dynamic knee valgus and q-angle. This study aims to determine which treatment produces greater improvements, which may help physiotherapists choose more effective treatments for patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome in Pakistan.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 40 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 between 18 and 40 years old. * Both genders male \& female. * Clinically diagnosed PFPS patients. * Anterior knee pain \>3 on VAS for \> 2 weeks. * Retropatellar pain during at least 3 of the following activities, i.e., jumping, kneeling, ascending \& descending stairs, squatting, running, prolonged sitting. * BMI range from 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m² . * Not receiving previously knee physiotherapy. * Insidious onset of symptoms unrelated to trauma. * Patellar compression test positive. * Clarke's test positive. * Snapps questionnaire score 6 or greater. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \> 40 years old. * Knee joint effusion . * BMI \< 18 \& \> 29 kg/m². * Any other significant injury that affect lower limb . * Any history of previous knee surgery. * Having referred pain from the lumbar, hip, ankle, feet, and SIJ . * Any history of knee pathology, including OA, meniscus injury, ligament injury, tendon injury, cartilage injury, iliotibial band involvement, intra articular pathology, patellar instability, osgood-schlatter syndrome, pes anserine pain, RA of knee . * Any history of neurological condition . * Pregnant females . * Any condition affected muscle strength, i.e., gout, DM, RA . * History of head injury, vestibular disorder within 6 months. * Any history of patellar dislocation or subluxation . * Signs and symptoms \< 1 month. * Use of corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory \& intra-articular injections. * Heart condition that precluded performing exercises.

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

Pain Intensity

Timeframe: Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)

Knee Function

Timeframe: Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)

Vastus Medialis Oblique Strength

Timeframe: Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07766083

SponsorUniversity of Faisalabad

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-07-10

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Motor Control Retraining trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 40 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.

What they're measuring

Pain Intensity

Timeframe: Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)

Knee Function

Timeframe: Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)

Vastus Medialis Oblique Strength

Timeframe: Baseline (week 0, before first intervention session), mid-intervention; week 3, after 9th session, and post-intervention (week 6, within 48 hours after the final intervention session)