A feasibility study comparing two chiropractic protocols in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of (1) using the existing clinic, clinicians, interns, faculty, and staff from our college in conducting all components of a planned randomized controlled clinical trial; (2) successfully recruiting patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS); and (3) consistently, effectively, and safely implementing the study protocols and therapy.


METHODS
Diagnostic, treatment, and blind assessment procedures were carried out while recruitment and administrative techniques for managing long-term storage of data and files were developed. Thirty-one patients were randomized into a local manipulative group (group A) or to a full kinetic chain manipulative therapy group (group B), each combined with exercise and soft tissue treatment. The Anterior Knee Pain Scale, visual analog scale, and Patient Satisfaction Scale were used.


RESULTS
All phases of the feasibility study including use of the clinic, staff, recruitment techniques, treatment protocols, data collection, input, and analysis were effectively and safely carried out.


CONCLUSIONS
A feasibility study investigating the ability to conduct a randomized controlled trial of a manipulative therapy protocol for PFPS using available chiropractic college infrastructure was accomplished. A fully powered PFPS trial is feasible and merited.
Brantingham
James W
JW
Cleveland Chiropractic College Los Angeles, CA 90004, USA. james.brantingham@cleveland.edu
Globe
Gary A
GA
Jensen
Muffit L
ML
Cassa
Tammy K
TK
Globe
Denise R
DR
Price
Jennifer L
JL
Mayer
Stephan N
SN
Lee
Felix T
FT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D046788:Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult