Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain around or behind the patella during activities such as stair ambulation, squatting, running, jumping, and prolonged sitting. Exercise therapy combined with patient education is considered first-line treatment, and supervised rehabilitation is commonly used to improve adherence and clinical outcomes. Telerehabilitation may increase accessibility and reduce time and travel burden, but high-quality evidence remains limited regarding whether telerehabilitation provides outcomes that are not inferior to conventional face-to-face supervised rehabilitation in individuals with PFP. This study is a randomized, assessor-blinded, non-inferiority trial designed to compare telerehabilitation with face-to-face supervised rehabilitation in individuals with patellofemoral pain. The trial will evaluate whether telerehabilitation is not inferior to face-to-face supervised rehabilitation in improving pain and knee-related function, while also examining psychological outcomes, self-satisfaction, and adherence.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
106
A 6-week remotely supervised rehabilitation program including education, progressive exercise therapy, and regular therapist-guided follow-up delivered through digital communication platforms.
A 6-week in-person supervised rehabilitation program including education, progressive exercise therapy, and regular therapist-guided follow-up.
Anterior Knee Pain Scale
Time frame: Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks
Numerical Rating Pain Scale
Time frame: Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks
The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score
Time frame: Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks
Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia
Time frame: Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks
Pain Catastrophizing Scale
Time frame: Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks
EQ-5D-5L
Time frame: Baseline; 6 weeks; 18 weeks
Muscle strength
Muscle strength was evaluated by maximal contractions using an isokinetic test system. During the test, they were asked to perform five constant flexion and extension motions at their maximum effort using a concentric-concentric contractions model. Knee muscle strength was recorded by peak torque (Nm).
Time frame: Baseline; 6 weeks
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