Clinical trial No longer in our active list Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 20 to 45

Evaluating Mulligan Technique and Diclofenac Phonophoresis for Knee Pain

Official title: Effects of Mulligan Technique With or Without Diclofenac Phonophoresis on Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Disability of Knee Joint in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Run by University of Lahore · NCT06439251 · Data updated 2026-05-14

This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.

This study is testing if a combination of a special hands-on technique and a pain-relief treatment can help young women with knee pain feel better compared to regular physical therapy.

More Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages20 Years to 45 Years
SexAll
Enrollment68 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Lahore
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lahore, Punjab)
Trial IDNCT06439251 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are individuals aged 20-45 with unilateral anterior knee pain persisting for over two months and a pain score greater than 3 during activities.

Probably not a fit

Patients with other knee pathologies, such as meniscus tears or osteoarthritis, will likely not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of the Mulligan technique combined with diclofenac phonophoresis in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), a common cause of anterior knee pain, particularly in young women. Participants aged 20-45 with unilateral knee pain will be randomly assigned to receive either the experimental treatment or standard physiotherapy over four weeks. The study will assess pain levels, range of motion, and functional disability using validated scales and measurements, with evaluations conducted by a blinded assessor. The goal is to determine if the addition of phonophoresis enhances treatment outcomes compared to routine physiotherapy alone.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce pain and improve mobility for patients suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific combination of Mulligan technique and phonophoresis is novel, similar interventions have shown promise in managing knee pain in previous studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* • Patients of age range 20-45 years and both genders (Rehman, 2021 #171)

  * Unilateral anterior knee pain persisting for over two months, referred by orthopedic (Rehman, 2021 #171)
  * Pain scoring rate on numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) \>3 during at least two activities (Rehman, 2021 #171)
  * Patients with positive Clarke's test/ Patellar grind test (Rehman, 2021 #171)
  * Pain while going up and down stairs, when sitting with knees flexed and with squatting, kneeling or returning from squat. (Powers, 2017 #172)

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Patients with other knee pathologies; meniscus tears, bursitis, patellar tendon injury, ligamentous injury

  * Degenerative joint disorders; knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc.
  * Patellofemoral dislocation and / or frequent subluxation.
  * Patients having undergone lower extremity surgery
  * Those taking any pain medications

Where it's running

  • Lahore General Hospital
    Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.