Impact of a Targeted 8-Week Exercise Program on Pain Measures and Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Females With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Impact of a Targeted 8-Week Exercise Program on Pain Measures and Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Females With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is condition characterized by anterior knee pain that predominantly affects young and physically active females. The etiology of PFPS is multifactorial, involving biomechanical, muscular, and neuromuscular factors that contribute to altered patellar tracking and increased pain sensitivity.

This study will employ a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to evaluate the effects of a targeted 8-week exercise program on pain measures and isokinetic muscle strength in females with PFPS. Thirty female patients diagnosed with PFPS will be recruited based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: an intervention group receiving the targeted exercise program, and a control group will not receive any intervention.The intervention group will undergo a supervised, structured exercise program lasting 8 weeks, focusing on strengthening the hip and knee muscles, improving neuromuscular control, and addressing pain sensitivity. Sessions will be conducted multiple times per week under professional supervision. Outcome measures will include pain measures, assessed through validated tools such as pressure pain threshold and pain intensity measured by VAS scale and isokinetic muscle strength of knee and hip muscles, measured by isokinetic dynamometry at the Biodex isokinetic Laboratory at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.

Inclusion Criteria:

Eligible participants will present with clinically diagnosed anterior knee pain exacerbated by activities such as stair climbing, squatting, or prolonged sitting, with a pain duration of at least three months to ensure chronicity. All participants will possess adequate intellectual and cognitive abilities to comprehend and follow exercise instructions, and they will provide informed consent prior to enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria will include any history of knee surgery or trauma within the past year, presence of other knee pathologies such as ligament injuries or osteoarthritis, neurological or systemic disorders affecting lower limb function, pregnancy, contraindications to exercise, or current involvement in other physical therapy or structured exercise programs targeting the knee.