EArly phySical therApy Program for PatelloFemoral Pain (ASAP-PFP trial): protocol for a triple-blinded, superiority, parallel-group, multicentre trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a chronic knee pain disorder that has high recurrence rates after treatment. While longer pain duration (>4 months) is one of the primary mediators for poor PFP prognosis, there are no clinical studies testing patients' response to early physiotherapy. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of an early physiotherapy programme compared with a delayed-delivery programme for people with PFP at short-term, medium-term and long-term follow-up.

Methods

Young adults (18-35 years old) with PFP will be recruited in Brazil, the USA and Belgium. 152 eligible participants will be assessed at baseline and allocated to early (treatment initiated between 4 and 12 weeks after pain onset) or delayed (treatment initiated after ≥6 months after pa

SUBMITTER: Waiteman MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12931530 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature