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Effects of Clamshell Exercises in Addition to Standardized Physical Therapy in the Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

NCT07730437 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-07-28

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether adding clamshell exercises to standardized physical therapy provides greater improvements in pain and knee function than standardized physical therapy alone in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain around or behind the kneecap that is aggravated by activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, and prolonged sitting.

Participants aged 18-45 years with clinically diagnosed PFPS will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive standardized physical therapy consisting of warm-up exercises, stretching, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down activities. The experimental group will receive the same standardized physical therapy program with the addition of clamshell exercises targeting the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles.

Both groups will participate in supervised treatment sessions lasting approximately 45 minutes, three times per week, for four weeks. Pain intensity will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and knee function will be assessed using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale before and after the intervention. The findings of this study may help determine whether incorporating clamshell exercises into routine physiotherapy improves rehabilitation outcomes for patients with PFPS.

Conditions

  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
  • Anterior Knee Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Standardized Physical Therapy

Standardized physical therapy consists of warm-up exercises, stretching of the hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius-soleus, and iliotibial band, quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening exercises (including static quadriceps exercises, straight leg raises, hip strengthening exercises, and mini-squats), followed by cool-down stretching. The control group receives this intervention for approximately 35 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Standardized Physical Therapy with Clamshell Exercise

Participants perform side-lying clamshell exercises to strengthen the gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles. The exercise is performed as 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions under physiotherapist supervision. This intervention is added to standardized physical therapy in the experimental group, resulting in a total treatment time of approximately 45 minutes per session, three sessions per week for four weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Ibadat International University, Islamabad

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Dr Muhammad Nazim Farooq Dean, Phd · Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
45 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-10
Primary Completion
2026-05-30
Completion
2026-06-10

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07730437 on ClinicalTrials.gov