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Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

NCT number NCT02352909
Other study ID # 2014-15-1 (OPPQ-REPAR)
Secondary ID PFC-2014
Status Completed
Phase N/A
First received December 3, 2014
Last updated September 7, 2016
Start date July 2014
Est. completion date May 2016

Study information

Verified date September 2016
Source Laval University
Contact n/a
Is FDA regulated No
Health authority Canada: Institutional Review Board
Study type Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

From a rehabilitation point of view, while several approaches exist to retrain runners with PFPS, it is not clear which one is most effective, or why. The goals of this randomised-controlled trial are: 1) to compare the effectiveness of three rehabilitation programs on pain and functional limitations of runners with PFPS and 2) to explain why the programs are effective or not based on laboratory analyses. After baseline evaluation, runners will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, each with a specific 8-week rehabilitation program aimed at addressing the efficiency of a specific type of retraining. These groups are: 1) Control; 2) muscle recruitment; 3) reducing knee loading during running.

The investigators hypothesis is that the intervention targeting a reduction in knee loading will be significantly more effective in reducing symptoms and improving function of runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome.


Description:

Hypothesis will be tested using symptoms and functional status questionnaires. In addition, mechanistic analyses will be conducted using a running assessment using an instrumented treadmill and kinematics analyses.


Recruitment information / eligibility

Status Completed
Enrollment 69
Est. completion date May 2016
Est. primary completion date May 2016
Accepts healthy volunteers No
Gender Both
Age group 18 Years to 45 Years
Eligibility Inclusion Criteria:

- Running mileage at least 15km

- Symptoms since at least 3 months

- Pain level at least 3/10 during running and 3 activities among: kneeling, squatting, stairs and resisted knee extension

- Score lower than 85/100 on the KOS-ADLS

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of knee surgery or patellar dislocation

- Pain believed to originate either from meniscus or from patellar tendon

- Pain following an acute trauma

- Concurrent lower limb injuries

- History of neurological, inflammatory, rheumatoid disease

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


Intervention

Other:
Education
Education on running training modifications depending on symptoms (decrease running speed, spread running volume throughout the week, run/walk intervals, avoid downhill and stairs running). Education about symptoms will also be provided.
Exercise program
A home-based program including strengthening and motor control exercises will be prescribed. The program will include 4 different phases of 2 weeks.
Gait retraining
Running gait will be modified to reduce knee loading while running (step frequency, impact, foot strike pattern).

Locations

Country Name City State
Canada Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration Quebec City Quebec

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor Collaborator
Laval University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type Measure Description Time frame Safety issue
Primary Changes in symptoms and function using a self-reported questionnaire, the Activities of Daily Living Scale of the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS-ADLS) A validated self-reported questionnaire (found to have the best psychometric properties in this population by a systematic review; Esculier et al., Disabil Rehabil 2013;35(26):2181-90) will be used to assess the severity of symptoms and functional limitations during the activities of daily living because of knee impairment. Changes in scores to this questionnaire will allow to compare the efficacy of rehabilitation protocols. After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of rehabilitation; 3 months after the end of the rehabilitation program No
Secondary Changes in pain scores using Visual analog scales (VAS) Visual analog scales will be used to assess levels of usual pain, worst pain and pain during running. Changes in scores to these scales will allow to compare the efficacy of rehabilitation protocols. These pain scales have been validated in this population. After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of rehabilitation; 3 months after the end of the rehabilitation program No
Secondary Global rating of change (GRC) Self-reported outcome used to monitor perception of improvement or worsening of the condition following the intervention. After the intervention (8 weeks) No
Secondary Changes in the vertical loading rate of ground reaction forces during treadmill running Vertical ground reaction forces and vertical loading rate during running on a Bertec instrumented treadmill. The average and instantaneous rise in vertical ground reaction forces will be considered between initial contact and initial peak in vertical forces. Data will be collected during running between 8-10km/h on a Bertec instrumented treadmill. Baseline and after the intervention (8 weeks) No
Secondary Changes in ankle, knee, hip and pelvis kinematics during the stance phase of running Analysis of 3-dimensions motion of the lower limbs during running using VICON cameras. Peak angles and angular excursions will be assessed. Baseline and after the intervention (8 weeks) No
Secondary Changes in patellofemoral joint load during the stance phase of running Using inverse dynamics, patellofemoral joint load during the stance phase of running will be estimated by combining kinematics data with force plates data. Baseline and after the intervention (8 weeks) No
Secondary Changes in lower limb muscle strength Maximum isometric strength testing of the knee extensors and hip abductors, extensors and external rotators will be assessed using a handheld dynamometer with standard procedures. Baseline and after the intervention (8 weeks) No