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Study aim
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To determine the effect of knee and hip muscle strengthening on lower limb kinematics in Females with Patellofemoral Pain
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Design
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This is a double-blinded RCT with parallel design in which 50 females with PFP will randomly be assigned to 2 groups of the case (1) and control (2). Balanced randomization technique and sealed envelope will be used for group assignment.
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Settings and conduct
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Group 1 and 2 will perform the knee plus knee, and the knee strengthening and stretching exercises, respectively. Patients will receive 4 weeks of treatment, 3 times a week. A motion analysis system will record kinematic data while patients perform a single-legged squat and stair descent. A dynamometer will measure the maximal isometric strength of knee and hip muscles. Joint kinematics and muscle strength will be assessed 2-3 days before and after interventions. The assessor and data analyst will be blinded to group allocation.
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Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
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Females with a history of anterior/retro patellar pain with a severity of at least 30 on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale in two daily activities of ascending and descending stairs, kneeling, squatting, and long sitting in the last 2 months will be entered to the study
Females with a history of patellar dislocation, patellofemoral joint surgery, meniscal and ligament injury, Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome, Positive Apprehension Test, knee tendinitis will be excluded.
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Intervention groups
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Participants will randomly be allocated to the hip and knee strengthening (group 1) and knee strengthening groups (group 2 or control group). Group 1 and 2 will receive 12 sessions of physiotherapy focusing on hip plus knee muscles (group 1), and knee muscles (group 2) strengthening exercises.
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Main outcome variables
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The hip, knee joint flexion, abduction, and internal rotation. The hip and knee muscles strength.