Gait Retraining for Runners With Patellofemoral Pain
ConditionPatellofemoral Pain, PFP
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age18-45
SponsorBeijing Sport University
About this trial
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common overuse injury in runners. Increased patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS) is an important biomechanical factor associated with PFP. Gait retraining, especially cadence modification, may reduce PFJS and improve symptoms, but evidence from randomized controlled trials remains limited. This study investigated whether wearable device-assisted gait retraining was more effective than education alone in reducing pain, improving function, and altering running biomechanics in female runners with PFP.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Female, Age 18-45 years
Unilateral/bilateral anterior knee pain > 4 weeks
VAS pain ≥ 3/10 during running and ≥ 2 of the following: jumping, squatting, kneeling, stairs, prolonged sitting, or resisted knee extension
Running ≥ 15 km per week
Disqualifiers
Acute trauma, history of patellar dislocation, meniscal/chondral lesions
Prior knee surgery or injection in past 12 months
Rheumatologic, neurologic, or degenerative disease
Pregnancy
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Gait retraining
BehavioralThe intervention is a wearable device-assisted gait retraining program (home) designed specifically for female runners with patellofemoral pain.
Education
BehavioralPFP education, load management strategies, symptom-based training modifications, and strengthening exercises
Treatment groups
44 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Gait retraining groupExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Control groupActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Visual Analogue Scale for Pain during running
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a validated, widely used instrument for assessing subjective pain intensity. It consists of a 10-centimeter horizontal line, with one end (0) representing "no pain" and the other end (10) representing "worst imaginable pain." It will be evaluated during running.
Time frame
Baseline, Week 6, Week 18Secondary outcomes
1
Visual Analogue Scale for usual pain
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a validated, widely used instrument for assessing subjective pain intensity. It consists of a 10-centimeter horizontal line, with one end (0) representing "no pain" and the other end (10) representing "worst imaginable pain." It will be evaluated for usual pain.
Time frame
Baseline, Week 6, Week 182
Anterior Knee Pain Scale
The Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS), also referred to as the Kujala Score, is a patient-reported outcome measure designed to evaluate symptoms and functional limitations associated with anterior knee pain and patellofemoral disorders. It consists of 13 items covering domains such as pain during various activities (e.g., walking, running, jumping, climbing stairs, squatting), functional limitations, abnormal gait, muscle atrophy, and difficulty with prolonged sitting. Each item is scored on an ordinal scale, and the total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better knee function and fewer symptoms.
Time frame
Baseline, Week 6, Week 183
Knee Flexion Angle
Peak knee flexion angle will be assessed during running trials using a 3-dimensional motion capture system. Reflective markers will be placed according to a standard lower-limb biomechanical model.
Time frame
Baseline, Week 64
Ground Reaction Force
Ground reaction force (GRF) will be measured during overground running using embedded force plates synchronized with motion capture.
Time frame
Baseline, Week 6Other outcomes
1
Step rates
Step rates refer to the number of steps taken per unit of time, usually expressed as steps per minute (steps/min).
Time frame
Baseline, Week 62
Weekly running distance
Weekly running distance refers to the total distance covered by a participant through running over one week, usually expressed in kilometers (km) or meters (m). This outcome is used to assess running volume.
Time frame
Baseline, Week 6Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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