NCT07534605

Effects of Ultrasound Therapy in Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Effects of Ultrasound Therapy in Patients With Iliotibial Band Syndrome

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 75 (actual)
• Sponsor: Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 45 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ultrasound (US) therapy, administered in different modes, on pain, functionality, quality of life and iliotibial band (ITB) thickness in patients with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). The primary question of the study is: Is US therapy effective in reducing pain and improving functionality in ITBS? The secondary question is: Is US therapy effective in ITBS in terms of quality of life and ITB thickness? 75 participants were assigned to the exercise, exercise plus continuous US and exercise plus intermittent US groups and received 15 treatment sessions. Participants were assessed before treatment, at the end of treatment (after 15 sessions) and at 3 months post-treatment.

Detailed description

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ultrasound (US) therapy, administered in different modes, on pain, functionality and iliotibial band (ITB) thickness in patients with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). Seventy-five volunteers presenting at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic with lateral knee pain and thigh pain were included in the study. Patients aged between 45 and 60 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had been diagnosed with ITBS were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into three groups and received 15 treatment sessions. Group 1 received exercise only, Group 2 received exercise plus continuous ultrasound, and Group 3 received exercise plus intermittent ultrasound treatment. Patients' pain scores were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), lower limb functionality using the Lower Limb Functionality Scale (LEFS), and quality of life using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire before treatment, after treatment, and at the 3-month post-treatment mark. In patients diagnosed with ITBS,ITB thickness was measured ultrasonographically at the attachment point of the lateral femoral epicondyle in the lateral lying position with the knee flexed at 20-30 degrees.

Conditions

• Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise	Hip and knee strengthening, core muscle strengthening, and ITB stretching exercises were given in 15 sessions.
DEVICE	Continious Ultrasound	2 W/cm² intensity, 1.5 MHz frequency, 7 minutes, 15 continuous ultrasound sessions.
DEVICE	Intermittant ultrasound	2 W/cm² intensity, 1.5 MHz frequency, 7 minutes per session, 15 pulsed ultrasound treatments.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-15
• Primary completion: 2025-11-19
• Completion: 2025-11-19
• First posted: 2026-04-16
• Last updated: 2026-04-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)