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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
44
The intervention is a wearable device-assisted gait retraining program (home) designed specifically for female runners with patellofemoral pain.
PFP education, load management strategies, symptom-based training modifications, and strengthening exercises
Beijing Sport University
Beijing, China
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 18
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 18
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 18
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 6
Ground Reaction Force
Ground reaction force (GRF) will be measured during overground running using embedded force plates synchronized with motion capture.
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Time frame: Baseline, Week 6
Visual Analogue Scale for the worst 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 the worst pain.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 18