Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion and Effect on Single Limb Squats in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain

Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion and Effect on Single Limb Squats in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain: Interventions and Outcomes in a Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this graduate student research study is to investigate the relationship between limited ankle dorsiflexion and the potential effects on a single limb squat task in the Patellofemoral/Knee Pain population.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Patellofemoral Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Mobilization with Movement; Other: No mobilization with movement and education

Detailed Description

1. Participants will undergo Covid screening prior to filling out consent form and PHI. Randomization will occur to create an experimental group and a minimal intervention group.
2. Participants will complete two self-reported questionnaires on how their diagnosis affects functional activities.
3. Dorsiflexion range of motion in a weight bearing position will be taken.
4. Hip abductor strength on tested limb will be measure on isokinetic device.
5. The Lateral Step Down test will be conducted for 6 trials on each participant, 3 with a heel wedge and 3 without, movement recorded, and graded using two motion capture devices.
6. The experimental group will receive two interventions to increase dorsiflexion range of motion. The minimal intervention group will read and infographic and complete 5 minutes of treadmill walking.
7. Each participant will then have their dorsiflexion measured again prior to completing another 3 trials of the Lateral Step Down test.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Everett Lohman, DSc; Phone Number: 83171 909-558-4632; Email: elohman@llu.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Loma Linda, California, United States, 92350
      • Recruiting
      • Loma Linda University
      • Contact: Everett Lohman, DSc; Phone Number: 83171 909-558-4632; Email: elohman@llu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 59 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of active Patellofemoral Pain for at least 6 months
• No clinic based therapeutic interventions for a 6-month period prior to testing
• Females aged 18-59 years' old
• Limited ankle dorsiflexion as noted by <45degs using the weight bearing lunge test

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of musculoskeletal surgery or fractures on the tested leg or lumbar spine that could affect their biomechanics during the study
• History of soft tissue or skeletal abnormalities in the tested limb
• Current knee effusion
• Resting pain greater than 5/10

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Primary Intervention Group; The experimental group will receive two interventions to increase dorsiflexion range of motion.	Other: Mobilization with Movement; Participants will be lunging on a box with posterior ankle glide of 10 seconds times 5 sets. They will have 30 seconds rest between trials. Participant will have their ankle taped and then walk on a treadmill at a self-selected pace for 5 minutes.
Active Comparator: Minimal Intervention Group; The minimal intervention group will read and infographic and complete 5 minutes of treadmill walking.	Other: No mobilization with movement and education; Participants ankle will not be taped and they will walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes and receive education.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Weight bearing lunge test	This test is used to assess a participant's available dorsiflexion range of motion in a weight bearing position. Furthermore, this places the participants hip, knee, and ankle into a flexed position which correlates with the squat tests we will be using.	change between baseline and post intervention on Day 1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Patellofemoral Disability Index	The Index is a self-reported questionnaire that addresses the amount of pain a person may have during tasks such as running, jumping, and stair climbing.	change between baseline and post intervention on Day 1

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Loma Linda University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Everett Lohman, Dsc, Loma Linda University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 2, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 8, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 15, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): March 17, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 2, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Physiological Phenomena; Socioeconomic Factors; Population Characteristics; Educational Status; Movement
• Other Study ID Numbers: 5220026

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No