The objective of this study is to compare a novel 6-week strength training rehabilitation incorporating power exercises (STRIPE) program to a standard of care (SOC) program on short-term and long-term pain, subjective function, patellofemoral pain recurrence rates, and secondary outcomes (hip abduction and extension rate of torque development and single-leg squat kinematics). We hypothesize that participants with patellofemoral pain who complete the STRIPE program will have 1) decreased pain, 2) improved subjective function, 3) reduced patellofemoral pain recurrence rates, 4a) improved hip abduction/extension rate of torque development, and 4b) decreased hip adduction and pelvic drop during a single leg squat compared to participants who complete a SOC rehabilitation program.
The proposed study will compare strength-based exercises, which is the standard of care (SOC), that target the hip abductors, hip extensors, lumbo-pelvic, and quadriceps muscles, to a strength training program that utilized power-based exercises (Strength Training Rehabilitation Incorporating Power Exercises \[STRIPE\]). Individuals with patellofemoral pain, both within the military and general population, present with long-term pain, decreased subjective function, and high recurrence rates. Our primary outcomes are to determine intervention success with self-reported knee pain, measured by the visual analog scale, subjective function, measured by the anterior knee pain scale, and recurrence rates. Recent evidence suggests that two in every three individuals with patellofemoral pain report symptoms up to two years after seeking care, therefore we will assess patellofemoral pain recurrence rates for two years. Additionally, the proposed interventions target gluteal muscle function, supporting our selection of secondary outcome variables. We will assess rate of torque development, as power-based exercises are recommended to improve muscle capacity, of both the targeted gluteus medius and gluteus maximus. We will also assess frontal plane kinematics, as the gluteal muscles are responsible for controlling pelvic and hip motion during functional tasks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
88
6 weeks of standard of care rehabilitation will be given designed to target the core, hip, and quadriceps muscles. Each participant will be expected to complete 3 supervised telehealth sessions per week.
6 weeks of STRIPE rehabilitation will be given designed to target the core, hip, and quadriceps muscles. Each participant will be expected to complete 3 supervised telehealth sessions per week.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut, United States
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida, United States
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio, United States
Change in knee pain.
Data are presented as knee pain, assessed on the visual analog scale in centimeters, resulting in a score of 0-10, with 0 representing no pain and 10 being worst pain imaginable. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Change in self-reported knee function.
Data are presented as self-reported knee function, assessed by the anterior knee pain scale. The scale ranged between 0-100, with 0 indicating complete disability and 100 indicating no disability. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Patellofemoral pain recurrence
The number of patients who report symptoms of patellofemoral pain
Time frame: 6 months post intervention, 12-months post intervention, 18-months post intervention, and 24-months post intervention
Change in hip rate of torque development
Hip abduction and extension rate of torque development will be assessed with a handheld dynamometer. Data are reported as linear, with higher scores representing a faster ability to develop hip muscle force. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention.
Change in hip adduction during a single leg squat
Data are presented as a degree, with a higher number representing a higher amount of hip adduction. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Change in pelvic drop during a single leg squat
Data are presented as a degree, with a higher number representing a higher amount of pelvic drop. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Change in psychological factors
Psychological factors will be measures with the PROMIS-10, a 10-item general self-reported questionnaire that assess general domains related to physical, mental, and social health, in addition to perceived quality of life. PROMIS-10 scores are standardized to the general population using a "T-Score", which is a score of 50 points and a standard deviation of 10-points. Higher scores on the PROMIS-10 indicate a healthier patient. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Change in cognitive factors
Cognitive factors will be assessed with the Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), a dimension specific questionnaire. The FABQ contains two subscales - physical activity section that includes six-items, while the work section includes ten-items. The physical activity subscale score range between 0-24 and the work subscale is scored between 0-42. Higher scores identifying greater fear avoidance beliefs for both physical activity and work subscales. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Change in coping strategy
Coping strategies will be assessed with the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), a dimension specific questionnaire. The PSEQ is a ten-item, dimension specific questionnaire that assesses how confident participants are with performing activities while experiencing pain. Each item is rated on a scale ranging from 0 ("not at all confident") to 6 ("completely confident"). The PSEQ score ranges between 0-60, with a higher score representing higher confidence to function with pain. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Change in physical activity
Physical activity will be quantified with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), a dimension specific questionnaire. The IPAQ-SF is a 4-item short form that measures physical activity from the previous 7-days. Questions include the number of days per week the participant engaged in vigorous activities, moderate activities, walking, and sitting, with a follow-up question for each asking for duration of time for each task. Group means and standard deviations will be reported.
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Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.
Change in self-reported knee function
The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS) and the PFP subscale (KOOS-PF) will provide region and disease specific data throughout the study. The KOOS measures five separate dimensions; pain, symptoms, activities of daily living function, sports and recreational function, and quality of life. Each of the five domains are scored on a scale between 0-100, with lower scores representing greater impairments in self-reported function. The KOOS-PF subscale is an 11-item region specific questionnaire, ranging from 0-100, with greater scores also reflecting greater function.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention and then 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-intervention.