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Knee pain showdown: which manual therapy technique wins?

NCT ID NCT07698704

Symptom relief Sponsor: Cairo University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
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Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
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Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
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The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
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Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

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When the status isn't known

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First seen Jul 13, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two hands-on physical therapy techniques—popliteus muscle release and patellofemoral mobilization—for treating patellofemoral pain syndrome, a common cause of knee pain. Researchers will measure changes in pain intensity, knee function, and quadriceps strength in 48 adults aged 18-30 who have had knee pain for at least three months. The goal is to see which approach better relieves pain and improves daily activities.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Popliteus muscle release and patellofemoral mobilization (manual therapy techniques)
What this could lead to
If one technique proves more effective, it could offer a better, non-invasive treatment option for people with chronic knee pain.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial with only 48 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The techniques are manual therapies, and their effectiveness may vary by therapist skill.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 48 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Jul 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Nov 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 30 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female participants aged 18-30 years. * minimum history of 3 months of unilateral PFP. * pain intensity score of ≥3 on a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for worst pain experienced during the previous week. * Pain reproduced during at least two of the following functional activities: stair ascent or descent, running, hopping, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling. * Presence of pain on at least one of the following clinical tests: patellar compression test or palpation of the patellar facets. Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament or cartilage injury, apophysitis. * Recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation. * Cortisone use over an extended period of time. * Previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition. * Lower limb deformities.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

patellofemoral pain syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

How to take part

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