Isokinetic Training With Blood Flow Restriction for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

May 15, 2026 updated by: Jingzhi Zhang, Nanjing Mingzhou Rehabilitation Hospital

Effects of Isokinetic Training Combined With Blood Flow Restriction in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of isokinetic training combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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

Study Locations

  • China
      • Nanjing, China
        • Recruiting
        • Nanjing Mingzhou Rehabilitation Hospital
        • 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

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participants aged 18 to 40 years.
  • Clinical diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
  • Presence of anterior or retropatellar knee pain for at least 3 months.
  • Pain provoked by at least two activities that increase patellofemoral joint load, including squatting, stair climbing, running, jumping, prolonged sitting, or kneeling.
  • Average knee pain intensity of ≥3 on a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) during aggravating activities.
  • Ability to participate in exercise training and attend scheduled intervention sessions.
  • Willingness to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of knee surgery or significant trauma to the lower extremity within the previous 12 months.
  • Clinical evidence of other knee disorders, including ligament injury, meniscal injury, patellar instability, osteoarthritis, or tendinopathy.
  • Presence of neurological, cardiovascular, or systemic musculoskeletal disorders that may affect lower limb function or exercise participation.
  • Current participation in other structured lower extremity rehabilitation or strength training programs.
  • Contraindications to blood flow restriction training, including uncontrolled hypertension, vascular disease, thromboembolic disorders, or clotting abnormalities.
  • Use of pain-relieving injections or surgical interventions for knee pain within the previous 6 months.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Inability to complete the assessment or intervention procedures.

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

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: IT+BFR group
Isokinetic Training Combined With Blood Flow Restriction
Device: Isokinetic Training Combined With Blood Flow Restriction
Participants in this group will receive isokinetic muscle strength training combined with blood flow restriction (BFR). BFR will be applied to the proximal thigh using a pneumatic cuff at an individualized pressure based on limb occlusion pressure. Isokinetic training will target the knee musculature using an isokinetic dynamometer under supervised conditions. Each session will last 30 minutes, with training performed multiple times per week throughout the intervention period.
Active Comparator: IT group
Isokinetic Training
Device: Isokinetic Training
Participants in this group will receive supervised isokinetic muscle strength training targeting the knee musculature using an isokinetic dynamometer. Each session will last 30 minutes throughout the intervention period.
Active Comparator: ACE group
Aerobic Cycling Exercise
Device: Aerobic Cycling Exercise
Participants in this group will receive supervised aerobic cycling exercise using a stationary bicycle. Training will be performed at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes per session throughout the intervention period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS)
Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
The AKPS is a validated questionnaire used to assess pain and functional limitations associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better knee function and fewer symptoms.
From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Nanjing Mingzhou Rehabilitation Hospital

Collaborators

Guilin institute of information technology

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Zhang, Nanjing Mingzhou Rehabilitation Hospital

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 (Actual)

February 25, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 15, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NJKF202602001

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.

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