Ultrasound and foam rollers for patellofemoral knee pain: an RCT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The short-term effects of foam roller massage on adults with patellofemoral pain: a blinded randomised placebo-controlled trial
IRAS ID
212555
Contact name
Ian Mathiesan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common cause of knee pain in adolescents and adults which is not self-limiting and left unresolved substantially increases the risk of osteoarthritis (1,2). Sufferers of PFP often withdraw from sport and active hobbies due to pain potentially impacting on health and social interaction. Exercise based therapy is agreed internationally to be the principle treatment yet can be painful to perform negatively affecting compliance (3). Foam rollers are commonly used as an adjunct to reduce the discomfort of exercise however their efficacy for PFP is currently untested. If foam rollers can reduce PFP for short periods (30minutes) this is likely to increase exercise compliance and markedly improve outcomes. A blinded randomised controlled trial methodology is proposed to compare the effect of foam roller massage to a placebo electrotherapy device - ultrasound. The methods used to measure potential effect are well established including pain on forward step-down (4), pressure pain threshold (5) and patellofemoral alignment using dynamic ultrasound imaging (6). All 50 subjects will be sufferers of PFP and after randomisation will be tested on the effects of either foam roller massage or a placebo dose electrotherapy device at a single 45 minute sessions. Findings will determine the true efficacy of this common tool. Existing NHS Physiotherapy adult patients with PFP will be eligible for participation. A power calculation indicates 45 patients is sufficient with all testing performed in an NHS Physiotherapy department. This project is part of an MSc dissertation. Depending on speed of recruitment the study is expected to last 5 months. 50 subjects will be recruited to allow for drop-out. (references in section below)
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
17/WA/0178
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion