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Comparing the Outcome of Electrical Stimulation and Physical Therapy in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing the Outcome of Electrical Stimulation of Vastus Medialis Obliquus Muscle and Physical Therapy Vs Only Physical Therapy but No Electrical Stimulation in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Who can join
Ages 18 to 40 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Bilateral/unilateral anterior knee pain for more than 3 moths * Age of patient 18 to 40 years * At least 3 of the 4 following criteria present: pain associated with prolonged sitting with knees bend, pain with going downstairs, kneeling and squatting or sports activities * No h/o injury * No h/o surgery to the knee Exclusion Criteria: * H/o patellar dislocation or subluxation * Associated bursitis, tendinitis in periarticular area * Ligamentous problems * Intra-articular pathology * Pregnancy (patient reported pregnancy, in case of doubt patient will be referred to their OBG/GYN physician to exclude the pregnancy) * H/o knee surgery * Oral or intraarticular administration of steroid medication with in last 3 months * Patients with implanted devices like pacemaker
About the study
The purpose of study is to evaluate the efficacy of the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) device in patients with patellofemoral pain known as anterior knee pain. Usual treatment for it is physical therapy (PT). We want to evaluate and see if adding the electrical muscle stimulation will fasten the recovery and improved outcome in patellofemoral pain syndrome. Half of participants will receive EMS and PT while other half will receive PT only.
What is being tested
- EMS (device)
- Physical therapy (other)
Sponsor: Northwell Health · Participants: 92 · Started: Jul 24, 2017
Contact the study team
- Leon Popovitz, MD · Phone: 2127594553
- Rupesh Tarwala, MD · Phone: 2132915282
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT03184545
Locations in the U.S.
| New York | New York Bone and Joint Specialists, New York |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.