NCT06565520

Modulating Cortical Excitability to Improve Functional Movements in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain

Modulating Cortical Excitability to Improve Functional Movements in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain: a Randomized Control Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Nevada, Las Vegas · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study sought to investigate whether modulation of cortical excitability of the gluteal musculature, via tDCS paired with exercise, will reduce the amount the knee caves in during functional tasks in individuals with PFP. The objective is the explore if having tDCS target the area of the brain controlling hip muscles, when paired with exercise, will be more effective in reducing the amount the knee caves in for individuals with PFP versus those who receive exercise alone as their treatment. The aim is to contribute our findings to the growing knowledge in this area in order to help establish the possibility, and feasibility, of its use in clinical settings to strengthen traditional treatments for this patient population.

Conditions

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	transcranial direct current stimulator	The total amount of participation time per qualified subject will be approximately 150 minutes over two sessions. The participant screening session will take approximately 30 minutes, which is an appropriate amount of time to complete all screening tasks. The tDCS and sham sessions will take approximately a total of 120 minutes over two sessions. The first session will include a screening (30 minutes) to ensure they qualify for the study, followed by a treatment session (60 minutes): including non-invasive brain stimulation combined with hip strengthening exercises and functional movement testing at UNLV Maryland Campus. Subjects will return for a second treatment session (60 minutes) 2 weeks after the first.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-04-24
• Primary completion: 2025-04-21
• Completion: 2025-04-21
• First posted: 2024-08-22
• Last updated: 2024-08-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study