Please sign in to follow a disease.
Which exercise wins for knee pain? study puts clam shells and quad moves to the test
NCT ID NCT07646431
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compared two types of exercises—clam shell exercises (for hip muscles) and short arc quadriceps exercises (for thigh muscles)—in 34 adults aged 18-40 with patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner's knee. Participants were randomly assigned to one exercise group and did the exercises for several weeks. The goal was to see which exercise better reduces knee pain, improves daily function, and boosts quality of life. Results may help therapists choose the best exercise for kneecap pain.
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
-
34 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Nov 2025
- Finished
-
May 2026
- 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 40 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 Hide 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: Patients diagnosed with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Age between 18-40 years. Male and female participants Presence of anterior knee pain for at least 4 weeks Pain aggravated by activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, or prolonged sitting Willingness to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: History of knee surgery or fracture around the knee joint Ligament injuries (e.g., ACL, PCL tears) or meniscal injuries Presence of other knee conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, patellar dislocation). Neurological disorders affecting lower limb sensations and gait Current participation in any other physiotherapy or rehabilitation program Systemic inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). Cognitive impairment or inability to follow instructions/attend sessions. Use of long-term steroids, strong analgesics, or anti-inflammatory medications.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Patellofemoral pain syndrome are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, Bahlwal
Sargodha, Punjab Province, 40100, Pakistan
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can hard knee exercises reveal how patellofemoral pain changes movement?
- Can an AI coach replace the Physio's touch for knee pain?
- Which exercise retrains the knee best? a Head-to-Head test
- Hip and foot moves may ease stubborn knee pain — a trial puts the theory to the test
- A simple hip exercise may boost knee pain recovery — trial puts it to the test
- Can a Hands-On technique boost knee exercise results?