NCT06439251

Effects of Mulligan Technique With or Without Diclofenac Phonophoresis on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Effects of Mulligan Technique With or Without Diclofenac Phonophoresis on Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Disability of Knee Joint in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1 / Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Lahore · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause for "anterior knee pain" and mainly affects young women. the effectiveness of Mulligan technique with or without diclofenac phonophoresis on pain, range of motion and functional disability of knee joint in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome is known little. This study, ethically approved, focused on patients with anterior knee pain referred to the Physical Therapy Department from Lahore General Hospital. After eligibility assessments and consent, participants were randomly assigned to Group A (Experimental) or Group B (Control). Over four weeks, three sessions per week, routine physiotherapy and specific exercises will be administered, with Group A receiving additional Phonophoresis using ultrasound and diclofenac gel. Outcome variables (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, KOOS-PF, Universal Goniometer) will be assessed by a blinded assessor at baseline and study completion.

Detailed description

Background: The patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause for "anterior knee pain" and mainly affects young women without any structural changes such as increased Q-angle or significant pathological changes in articular cartilage. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Mulligan technique with or without diclofenac phonopheresis on pain, range of motion and functional disability of knee joint in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methodology: This study, ethically approved, focused on patients with anterior knee pain referred to the Physical Therapy Department from Lahore General Hospital. After eligibility assessments and consent, participants were randomly assigned to Group A (Experimental) or Group B (Control). Over four weeks, three sessions per week, routine physiotherapy and specific exercises were administered, with Group A receiving additional Phonophoresis using ultrasound and diclofenac gel. Outcome variables (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, KOOS-PF, Universal Goniometer) were assessed by a blinded assessor at baseline and study completion.

Conditions

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
COMBINATION_PRODUCT	Group 1	The treatment included TENS therapy, hot pack application, stretching exercises, isometric strengthening, straight leg raises with traction, and tibial gliding techniques. Participants in Group A also received Phonophoresis as an experimental technique.
COMBINATION_PRODUCT	Group 2	The treatment included routine physiotherapy with TENS, hot pack application, stretching exercises, isometric strengthening, straight leg raises with traction, and tibial gliding techniques.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-10-18
• Primary completion: 2025-06-15
• Completion: 2025-07-20
• First posted: 2024-06-03
• Last updated: 2025-08-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan