NCT07013617

Effect of Specific Versus General Hamstring Stretch on Clinical Outcomes in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

Effect Of Hamstring Stretch On Clinical Outcomes In Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 37 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized, Single-blind, parallel-group trial will compare the effects of three hamstring stretching interventions-general hamstring Muscle Energy Technique (MET), medial hamstring MET, and lateral hamstring MET-each combined with standardized TENS and progressive hip/knee strengthening, on hamstring flexibility (knee-extension ROM), anterior knee pain (Arabic Kujala score), pain intensity visual analogue scale (VAS), and lower-limb strength (hand-held dynamometer) in adults with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

Detailed description

Patients with chronic PFPS will be randomized (1:1:1) into: General MET group: standard non-specific hamstring MET stretch Medial MET group: targeted medial-hamstring MET stretch Lateral MET group: targeted lateral-hamstring MET stretch All groups receive: TENS: 20 min asymmetric biphasic square-pulse, 120 μs pulse width, 180 Hz, electrodes around patella (5-7 cm apart) Strengthening: 3×/week for 4 weeks; hip/knee exercises, start 3×10 reps → 3×20, progress with weights or resistance bands. Outcomes are measured pre-intervention and at 4 weeks. Analysis by mixed-design MANOVA (α \< 0.05).

Conditions

• Hamstring Shortness
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
• Hamstring Flexibility
• Patellofemoral Pain (PFPS)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device	Each participant will receive 20 minutes of TENS, Electrodes will be positioned around the patella with a 5 - 7 cm distance in between, The TENS settings include a continuous asymmetric biphasic square-pulse wave, a pulse width of 120 microseconds, and a pulse rate of 180 Hz.
OTHER	Strength exercises for lower limb	Each participant will receive progressive strengthening program targeting the hip and knee, begin with 3 sets of 10 repetitions and progress to 3 sets of 20 repetitions.
OTHER	Hamstring Stretch Muscle Energy Technique(MET) (General )	The participant will be supine and the leg will be taken into hip flexion until a tightness is felt then patient will be asked to push down with his lower leg and hold the contraction for 10 seconds then relax for 2 to 3 seconds then the therapist will take the patient's leg into further flexion for 30 seconds this will be repeated for 3 times each session .
OTHER	Medial Hamstring Muscle energy technique(MET) stretch	The Participant will be supine' then the therapist will take his leg in flexion, abduction and external rotation at the same time until he feels tightness then he will ask the patient to push his leg down and in or toward him and hold the contraction for 10 seconds then relax for 2 to 3 seconds then therapist will take the patient's leg in more abduction 'external rotation and flexion for 30 seconds, this will be repeated for 3 times each session
OTHER	Lateral hamstring Muscle Energy Technique(MET)Stretch	The Participant will be supine' then the therapist will take his leg in flexion, adduction and internal rotation at the same time until he feels a tightness then he will ask the patient to push his leg down and out or away from him him and hold the contraction for 10 seconds then relax for 2 to 3 seconds then therapist will take the patient's leg in more adduction 'internal rotation and flexion for 30 seconds, this will be repeated for 3 times each session

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-14
• Primary completion: 2025-10-01
• Completion: 2025-11-01
• First posted: 2025-06-10
• Last updated: 2025-06-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt