Laser Acupuncture on Pain, Range of Motion and Function in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Last updated: May 10, 2025
Sponsor: Cairo University
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Somatoform And Dissociative Disorders

Mood Disorders

Treatment

Laser acupuncture

Sham laser acupuncture

traditional physical therapy

Clinical Study ID

NCT06610981
IRB Approval No. 2024-82
  • Ages 18-25
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is among the most prevalent forms of knee discomfort. The main complaint is typically anterior knee pain, which gets worse while jumping, bending knee, going up or down stairs, or sitting for long periods of time with bent knee. Teens and early adulthood are commonly affected by patellofemoral pain syndrome, with a higher frequency in females. In healthy general populations, the prevalence of patellofemoral pain syndrome is 22.7%, and in teens, it is 28.9%.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (positive Clarkes sign and Waldron test)

  • Age from 18 to 25 years

  • Patients suffering from pain which aggravated by prolonged sitting, stair climbing,running, squatting, kneeling, hopping\jumping, overuse activities and relieved byrest for at least 3 months

  • Visual analog scale (VAS) greater than 3 points in daily activity

  • The ability to participate in the study and follow the treatment schedule.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Physiotherapy in the last 12 months

  • Intra-articular injection in the last 3 months

  • Other knee disorders such as: (osteoarthritis, previous knee surgery, history ofknee arthroplasty, or traumatic injury related joint deformity)

  • BMI greater than or equal 30

  • Pregnancy

  • Pacemaker insertion

  • Photosensitivity

  • History of using oral analgesic or NSAIDs in the previous 4 weeks,

  • History of malignancy, psychiatric disorder, mental retardation, neurologicdysfunction, diabetes mellitus, or uncontrolled hypertension.

Study Design

Total Participants: 60
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Laser acupuncture
Phase:
Study Start date:
October 01, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
May 01, 2025

Study Description

The treatment goals of patellofemoral pain syndrome are to reduce pain, increase muscle strength, increase flexibility, and correct the patellar movement tract. Conservative methods should be used before invasive methods when treating PFPS. One of the ways that people with PFPS may benefit from improved knee function and long-term pain reduction is by strengthening their quadriceps muscles, which primarily reduce force in the patellofemoral joint. Conservative methods described in the literature include the following: modifying activities; electrophysical modalities like biofeedback; therapeutic ultrasound; neuromuscular electrical stimulation; thermotherapy; interferential current; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS); knee braces; strengthening the hamstring, anterior tibialis, and gluteal muscles; stretching for iliotibial band and lateral retinaculum.

Connect with a study center

  • Faculty of Physical Therapy

    Giza, 12111
    Egypt

    Site Not Available

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