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Effects of Isometric, Isotonic, and Eccentric VMO Exercises in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (VMO-PFPS)

7 mei 2026 bijgewerkt door: Muharrem Gökhan Beydağı, Firat University

Comparison of the Effects of Isometric, Isotonic, and Eccentric Vastus Medialis Oblique Strengthening Exercises Applied in Terminal Knee Extension Range on Pain, Function, and Muscle Architecture in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by anterior knee pain, especially during activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, and prolonged sitting. Weakness or delayed activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle is considered an important contributing factor in the development of PFPS.

This study aims to compare the effects of three different types of VMO strengthening exercises (isometric, isotonic, and eccentric) applied within the terminal knee extension range (0-30°) on pain, functional performance, and muscle architecture in individuals with PFPS.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three exercise groups. All participants will receive a standardized physiotherapy program, including heat therapy, TENS, and therapeutic ultrasound, followed by group-specific VMO strengthening exercises. The intervention will be performed three times per week for 8 weeks.

Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention and will include pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), functional performance (WOMAC, 30-second sit-to-stand test, and stair test), and muscle architecture parameters measured by ultrasound imaging.

The results of this study are expected to provide evidence for optimizing rehabilitation strategies in individuals with PFPS.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Nog niet aan het werven

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a prevalent condition affecting physically active individuals and is associated with anterior knee pain during functional activities. Alterations in patellofemoral joint biomechanics, particularly related to quadriceps muscle imbalance and insufficient activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), are considered key contributing factors.

Although VMO strengthening is widely used in clinical practice, there is limited evidence comparing the effects of different contraction types-specifically isometric, isotonic, and eccentric exercises-applied within the terminal knee extension range (0-30°), where patellofemoral joint stress and stabilization demands are highest.

This study is designed as a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial to investigate the comparative effects of these exercise modalities on pain, functional outcomes, and muscle architecture. The intervention period will last 8 weeks, with sessions conducted three times per week.

A total of 90 participants aged 18-40 years with clinically diagnosed PFPS will be recruited and randomly allocated into three groups: isometric, isotonic, and eccentric exercise groups. All participants will receive a standardized physiotherapy protocol including superficial heat application, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and therapeutic ultrasound prior to exercise.

Primary outcomes will include pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and functional status evaluated using the WOMAC index, 30-second sit-to-stand test, and stair ascent/descent test. Secondary outcomes will include ultrasonographic assessment of muscle architecture, including muscle thickness, fascicle length, pennation angle, and physiological cross-sectional area of the VMO muscle. Additionally, selected hip muscles (adductor group and tensor fascia lata) will be evaluated.

Assessments will be performed at baseline (T0) and after the 8-week intervention (T1) by a blinded assessor. Randomization will be conducted using a computer-generated sequence with allocation concealment.

Statistical analyses will include repeated measures analysis to evaluate within-group and between-group differences, with significance set at p < 0.05.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation by identifying the most effective type of VMO strengthening exercise for improving clinical outcomes and muscle structure in individuals with PFPS.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

90

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Studie Locaties

  • Turkije (Türkiye)
    • MErkez
      • Elâzığ, MErkez, Turkije (Türkiye), 23200
        • Firat University
        • Contact:
        • Hoofdonderzoeker:
          • Muhammet Şahin Elbastı, PhD

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Volwassen

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Nee

Beschrijving

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged between 18 and 40 years
  • Clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome
  • Presence of anterior knee pain for at least 3 months
  • Pain during activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, or prolonged sitting
  • Pain intensity of at least 3/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of knee trauma or surgery
  • Meniscal injury, ligament injury, or knee instability
  • Advanced osteoarthritis
  • Neurological disorders
  • Rheumatologic diseases
  • Participation in a structured knee rehabilitation program within the last 6 months
  • Pregnancy

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Behandeling
  • Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
  • Masker: Enkel

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Experimenteel: Isometric Exercise Group
Participants in this group will receive a standardized physiotherapy program (hot pack, TENS, and therapeutic ultrasound) followed by isometric VMO strengthening exercises performed in the terminal knee extension range (0-30°). Exercises will be performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions, with 10-second contractions, three times per week for 8 weeks.
Ander: Isometric VMO Exercise
Isometric contractions of the vastus medialis oblique muscle will be performed with the knee supported at approximately 15° flexion, emphasizing maximal voluntary contraction without joint movement.
Andere namen:
  • Experimental: Isometric Exercise Group
Experimenteel: Isotonic Exercise Group
Participants will receive the same standardized physiotherapy program followed by isotonic (concentric and eccentric) VMO strengthening exercises performed within the 0-30° knee extension range using external resistance. Exercises will be performed 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, three times per week for 8 weeks.
Ander: Isotonic VMO Exercise
Participants will perform controlled concentric and eccentric contractions using ankle weights through a limited range of motion (0-30° knee extension).
Experimenteel: Eccentric Exercise Group
Participants will receive the same standardized physiotherapy program followed by eccentric VMO strengthening exercises performed within the 0-30° knee extension range. Exercises will be performed 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, three times per week for 8 weeks.
Ander: Eccentric VMO Exercise
Participants will perform eccentric contractions against resistance during knee flexion, with assisted concentric return to the starting position.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
VMO Muscle Architecture (Ultrasound)
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
Muscle thickness, fascicle length, pennation angle, and physiological cross-sectional area of the vastus medialis oblique muscle will be assessed using ultrasound imaging.
Baseline and Week 8

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Baseline and Week 8
Functional Status (WOMAC Index)
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
Functional status will be evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), including pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales. Higher scores indicate worse functional status.
Baseline and Week 8
30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
The number of repetitions completed in 30 seconds will be recorded to assess lower extremity functional strength.
Baseline and Week 8
Stair Ascent and Descent Test
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
Time required to ascend and descend a standardized 9-step staircase will be recorded in seconds.
Baseline and Week 8
Hip Muscle Architecture (Ultrasound)
Tijdsspanne: Baseline and Week 8
Muscle architecture parameters of the hip muscles (adductors and tensor fascia lata) will be evaluated using ultrasound imaging.
Baseline and Week 8

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Firat University

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Geschat)

20 mei 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

20 juni 2026

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

1 augustus 2026

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

27 april 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

27 april 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

1 mei 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

12 mei 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

7 mei 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 mei 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • FU_MGBeydagi_PFAS_B_2026/05

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

Deze informatie is zonder wijzigingen rechtstreeks van de website clinicaltrials.gov gehaald. Als u verzoeken heeft om uw onderzoeksgegevens te wijzigen, te verwijderen of bij te werken, neem dan contact op met register@clinicaltrials.gov. Zodra er een wijziging wordt doorgevoerd op clinicaltrials.gov, wordt deze ook automatisch bijgewerkt op onze website .

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Klinische onderzoeken op Isometric VMO Exercise

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