Distinct Directional Postural Stability Deficits Across Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders (LAS-PFPS)

April 7, 2026 updated by: Azza Mohammed, Cairo University

Distinct Directional Postural Stability Deficits Across Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders: Evidence From Lateral Ankle Sprain and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) are common musculoskeletal conditions associated with postural instability. However, the direction-specific nature of balance deficits and comparative patterns across these conditions remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare overall, mediolateral, and anteroposterior postural stability indices among individuals with LAS, PFPS, and healthy controls using the Biodex Balance System

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

90

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

a total of 90 participants (30 per group) will be required to participate in the study taking into consideration 10% drop out. Participants of both sexes with ages of 20 to 30 years will be recruited and assigned into three groups: individuals with lateral ankle sprain (LAS), individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and healthy control participants. All participants will have normal cognitive function and the ability to understand and follow instructions required for balance assessment.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria for the lateral ankle sprain group will include participants with a clinically confirmed history of unilateral lateral ankle sprain, who are at least three months post-injury to avoid acute inflammatory effects, and who report residual symptoms such as pain or functional limitation. Participants in the patellofemoral pain syndrome group will have a clinical diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome characterized by anterior or retropatellar knee pain aggravated by functional activities such as stair climbing, squatting, or prolonged sitting, with symptoms persisting for at least three months. Healthy control participants will have no history of lower limb musculoskeletal injury, pain, or functional impairment within the past three months and will be matched to the patient groups based on age and sex. All participants across groups will be able to stand independently without assistive devices and will demonstrate sufficient cognitive ability to understand and follow study instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria for all groups will include a history of lower limb fracture or surgery, neurological or vestibular disorders that may affect balance or postural control, uncorrected visual impairments, systemic inflammatory or rheumatological diseases, and metabolic or neurological conditions known to influence neuromuscular performance. Participants currently engaged in structured balance, proprioceptive, or neuromuscular training programs, as well as those taking medications that may affect balance or postural stability, will also be excluded from the study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
healthy control group
30 healthy matched participants of both sexes with ages from 20 to 30 years
To compare overall, antero-posterior and mediolateral postural stability indices among individuals with lateral ankle sprain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and healthy controls using the Biodex Balance System.
group of lateral ankle sprain (LAS)
30 patients with LAS of both sexes with ages from 20 to 30 years
To compare overall, antero-posterior and mediolateral postural stability indices among individuals with lateral ankle sprain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and healthy controls using the Biodex Balance System.
group of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)
30 patients with PFPS of both sexes with ages from 20 to 30 years
To compare overall, antero-posterior and mediolateral postural stability indices among individuals with lateral ankle sprain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and healthy controls using the Biodex Balance System.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
APSI
Time Frame: one shot assessment within one week
anterior-posterior stability index
one shot assessment within one week
MLSI
Time Frame: one shot assessment within one week
Medial-lateral stability index
one shot assessment within one week
OASI
Time Frame: one shot assessment within one week
overall stability index
one shot assessment within one week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Azza Abdelmohsen, professor, Cairo University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

March 30, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 25, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

April 27, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 27, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 7, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Approved

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.