"Mulligan Technique vs Phonophoresis With Chitosan for Patellofemoral 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: Mulligan technique, Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel, Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 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
- Egypt
- 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
Mulligan Technique Vs Phonophoresis With Chitosan Gel on Neuromuscular Control in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Overview
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition causing pain and dysfunction. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two physical therapy treatments for PFPS: Mulligan mobilization with movement technique versus phonophoresis with chitosan gel. Forty-five participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) Mulligan technique group, (2) Phonophoresis with chitosan gel group, or (3) Control group receiving standard physical therapy exercises. Each group will receive treatment 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The researchers want to determine which treatment is more effective in improving neuromuscular control, reducing pain, and improving function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Participants will be assessed before and after the treatment period. This study may help physical therapists and healthcare providers choose the most effective treatment approach for patients with patellofemoral pain.
Interventions
- Procedure Mulligan technique
Each mobilization with movement (MWM) is performed in three sets of 10 repetitions, with a 30-second rest interval between sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, before hip and knee strengthening exercises. - Procedure Phonophoresis with Chitosan Gel
Phonophoresis (ultrasound with chitosan gel) is applied at 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm², continuous mode, for 5 minutes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks before hip and knee exercises. - Behavioral Standard Physical Therapy Exercise Program
Participants attend 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session includes stretching and hip and knee focused exercises. Progression involves weekly increases in repetitions and resistance based on pain levels (less than 3/10).
Primary outcome measures
- Maximal rate of force development (RFD) [Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks]
- Pain at patella [Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Insidious onset of anterior knee pain
- Retro patellar or peripatellar pain
- Pain duration more than four weeks (chronic/subacute)
- Pain severity ≥ 3/10 on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Pain during at least two of the following activities: stair ascent or descent, squatting, prolonged sitting (theater sign), or kneeling
- Positive patellar compression test (pain reproduced by compressing the patella into the trochlear groove)
- Patellar tenderness along the medial or lateral borders
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Baseline Kujala score (Arabic version): approximately 67-71 (indicating moderate to severe dysfunction)
Exclusion criteria
- Traumatic injury (e.g., dislocation, fracture, ligament or meniscus pathology)
- Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout)
- Prior knee surgery
- Current use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids
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
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- Ahram Canadian unveracity — Cairo
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07445607 · CUPT-MULLIGAN-2026