Popliteus muscle release versus Kinesio taping for patellofemoral pain

Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Kinesio Taping on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

This will test whether popliteus muscle release or Kinesio taping better reduces pain and improves function in adults 18–30 with patellofemoral pain.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 48 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 30 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Suez)
• Trial ID: NCT07290296 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults aged 18–30 with at least three months of patellofemoral pain and a minimum worst-week pain score of 3/10 will be enrolled. Participants will receive one of three interventions—popliteus muscle release, Kinesio taping, or standard physical therapy—and outcomes will include pain intensity, knee function, dynamic balance, and quadriceps strength. Pain will be measured with a visual analog scale and function, balance, and strength with standardized clinical and performance tests. The trial compares the short-term effects of a targeted soft-tissue release versus supportive taping when added to conventional care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 18–30 with at least three months of patellofemoral pain, worst-week pain ≥3/10, pain reproducible by activities like stairs or squatting, and a positive patellar compression or palpation test.

Not a fit: Patients with other specific knee pathology on imaging (osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament, or cartilage injury), recurrent patellar dislocation, prior knee surgery, recent physiotherapy for patellofemoral pain syndrome, prolonged corticosteroid use, or acute knee trauma are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify a simple, non-surgical technique that reduces anterior knee pain and improves strength and balance.

How similar studies have performed: Systematic reviews suggest Kinesio taping can reduce pain as an adjunct to exercise and some reports support soft-tissue manipulation for knee pain, but direct head-to-head comparisons of popliteus release and taping are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients of both genders with an age range of 18-30 years old.
* minimum 3-month history of patellofemoral pain.
* a pain score for worst pain intensity during the previous week of 3 or more on a Visual Analog Scale (0-10, most pain).
* reproduced by at least two of the following activities: Stair ascent or descent, hopping, running, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling and present on at least one of the following clinical tests: Compression of the patella or palpation of the patellar facets.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology, including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament, or cartilage injury, or apophysitis.
* recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
* cortisone use over an extended period of time.
* previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition.
* physiotherapy or other similar exercises for patellofemoral pain syndrome within the previous 3 months.

Where this trial is running

Suez

• Suez — Suez, Egypt (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hafsa He Abdullah, MSc — Cairo University
• Study coordinator: Hafsa He Abdullah, MSc

Conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome