Assessing Lower Extremity Dynamic Stability in Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Using the Y-Balance Test

Peking University Third Hospital70 enrolled

Overview

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common functional disorder of knee joint. Its etiology involves biomechanical abnormalities and dynamic stability defects. Most of the existing studies focus on young people, and the biomechanical characteristics and functional compensation mechanism of middle-aged and elderly patients are still unclear. The Y-Balance test is becoming an important tool in PFPS research because of its sensitivity to assess the dynamic balance ability of lower limbs. Objective: To analyze the functional characteristics of lower limbs of PFPS patients aged 40-60 by Y-Balance test, and to explore the differences between PFPS patients and healthy people, so as to provide evidence for clinical rehabilitation. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 49 PFPS patients and 21 healthy controls. Y-Balance test was used to evaluate bilateral forward difference, composite score, lateral and posterior balance, symmetry ratio and bilateral difference. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Y-balance Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsMax age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 40 and 60 years * Clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain (PFP) with symptoms lasting ≥3 months * No other serious lower extremity disorders * No neurological diseases * No history of recent lower extremity surgery (\<12 months) * No history of major lower extremity trauma * Control group: Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers without knee pain or lower limb dysfunction Exclusion Criteria: Acute inflammatory conditions Meniscus injury Knee ligament injury Intra-articular fracture Bone tumor Bone tuberculosis Neurovascular injury including: 1. Stroke history 2. Parkinson's disease Subjective unwillingness to comply with testing Inability to complete Y-Balance Test Serious systemic diseases affecting: Cardiovascular system Hepatic function Renal function Hematological system

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Analysis of Y-balance characteristics of patellofemoral pain syndrome

Outcome Measure Title:Y-Balance Test (YBT) Reach Distance (cm) - Comparison between Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) Patients (Aged 40-60 Years) and Healthy Controls Outcome Measure Description:The Y-Balance Test (YBT) was used to assess dynamic balance function of the lower limbs in participants. Metrics Measured: The maximum reach distance (in centimeters, cm) achieved by participants in three directions (Anterior, Posteromedial, Posterolateral) during single-leg stance. Data Summary:The average maximum reach distance (cm) from three valid trials was calculated for each direction, separately for the left and right legs. Comparative Analysis: The average maximum reach distance (cm) in each direction for the left and right legs in the PFPS patient group (aged 40-60 years) were compared with the corresponding metrics in an age- and sex-matched group of healthy controls to analyze between-group differences.

Time frame: Baseline