A Study on the Effectiveness of Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion Training in Patients With Patellofemoral Joint Pain.
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Standard Exercise Therapy + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training, Standard Exercise Therapy Only.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Patellofemoral Pain, PFP. Basic parameters: 18 years — 30 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
This RCT Included 64 Participants (18-30y) With PFP, Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM <10°, and BMI 18.5-28 kg/m². Exclusions: Ankle Fractures, Achilles Rupture, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Systemic Diseases, or Prior Knee/Ankle Surgeries. Randomized to Two Groups (n=32/Group): Experimental (Standard Exercise + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training) vs Control (Standard Exercise Only) at Matched Intensity/Frequency for 8 Weeks. Outcomes: VAS Pain, Kujala Scale, Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM. Certified Physiotherapists Supervise Sessions. Data Analyzed With SPSS 26.0. The Protocol Complies With the Helsinki Declaration.
Overview
Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is a common knee condition causing pain around the kneecap during activities like running or squatting. Limited ankle flexibility ("dorsiflexion" - how far participants can lift their toes toward the shin) may worsen PFP by altering leg movements. This study investigates whether adding ankle flexibility exercises to standard knee-strengthening programs improves outcomes for young adults with PFP. Active adults aged 18-30 with PFP and limited ankle flexibility (measured with a simple tool) are eligible, excluding those with prior knee/ankle surgeries, fractures, or conditions like arthritis. Sixty-four participants will be randomly assigned to either an Exercise + Ankle Training group (standard knee exercises plus targeted ankle training) or an Exercise-Only group for 8 weeks under physiotherapist guidance. Outcomes include improvements in knee pain scores (Kujala Scale), ankle flexibility changes, and muscle coordination measured with non-invasive sensors. If effective, ankle flexibility training could provide a low-cost addition to current treatments, helping patients resume activities with less pain. The study follows international ethical guidelines and has received preliminary ethics approval (No. TJUS-2025-054).
Interventions
- Other Standard Exercise Therapy + Ankle Dorsiflexion Training
The experimental group receives: Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces). Ankle Dorsiflexion Training (15 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Mobilization techniques (posterior glides of the talus), Resistance band exercises (dorsiflexion against elastic bands), Progressive Achil - Other Standard Exercise Therapy Only
Standard Exercise Therapy (30 min/session, 3x/week for 8 weeks): Quadriceps eccentric exercises (e.g., slow step-downs), Hip abductor strengthening (e.g., side-lying leg lifts), and Neuromuscular control drills (e.g., single-leg balance on unstable surfaces). Exercise progression (resistance/intensity) is adjusted biweekly based on functional assessments.
Primary outcome measures
- Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale [Time frame: Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).]
- Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion [Time frame: Assess all outcome measures at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the completion of the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- sEMG co-contraction ratios [Time frame: All outcome measures (sEMG co-contraction) ratios are assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completing the 8-week intervention program (post-intervention).]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Aged 18-30 years
- Diagnosed with patellofemoral pain (PFP) per clinical guidelines (anterior knee pain aggravated by ≥2 activities: running, squatting, stair climbing)
- Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) <10° (measured via goniometer in weight-bearing)
- BMI 18.5-28 kg/m²
- Engage in regular physical activity (≥3 sessions/week)
Exclusion criteria
- Ankle fractures
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout, or systemic diseases
- Prior knee/ankle surgeries
- Concurrent lower limb injuries (e.g., ligament tears, meniscal pathology)
- Neurological disorders affecting mobility
- Participation in other lower limb rehabilitation programs within 3 months
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06958757 · TJUS2025-054