The PFP-Inhibit study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of arthrogenic muscular inhibition in patellofemoral pain and the response to an exercise programme (the PFP-Inhibit study)
IRAS ID
194530
Contact name
Richard Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Salford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 0 days
Research summary
Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is the most diagnosed condition in individuals with knee complaints. Studies revealed that one third of individuals with PFP suffer from persistent complaints, indicating that current treatments fail to prevent the chronicity of symptoms and thereby the question arises if the underlying factors of PFP are understood sufficiently. Current research focuses predominantly on muscle strength assessment by means of a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), even though, weakness might not only be caused by a reduced voluntary contraction but also by an involuntary ability to contract the muscle fully, which is named arthrogenous muscular inhibition (AMI). Both mechanisms result in the same symptom; muscle weakness, but the treatment approaches are entirely different. Although AMI has been proven to be present in a wide range of knee joint pathologies to date it remains unclear whether patients with PFP are weak or inhibited. It remains also unclear if there exists a causal link between AMI and biomechanical alterations. Furthermore, no study investigated the influence of the currently recommended exercise treatment on AMI.
Methods: 40 participants with PFP and 40 healthy controls will take part in the study. As a basis investigation kinematic, kinetic measures, and surface electromyographic (sEMG) of 4 lower limb muscles will be taken during functional tasks, as well as muscle strength and AMI of the quadriceps, muscle flexibility, and a posture assessment of the patella.
All participants with PFP will then receive a specific exercise treatment of 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the participants with PFP will attend the Salford university to be reassessed.
Expected outcomes: The study will investigate if AMI is present in participants with PFP and if AMI is directly linked to functional performance. In addition this study will investigate if a specific exercise treatment can reduce AMI and improve functional performance.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0497
Date of REC Opinion
12 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion