PNF Plus Progressive Rehabilitation for Adolescent Athletes With Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome - NCT07928778

Sponsor: Benha University Conditions: Osgood-Schlatter Disease Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is a common cause of knee pain in adolescent athletes. It occurs during periods of growth and is often associated with sports activities involving running, jumping, and repeated knee movements. Pain may limit participation in sports and other physical activities. This study aims to investigate whether combining proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) relaxation techniques with a progressive rehabilitation exercise programme is more effective than progressive rehabilitation exercises alone in reducing knee pain and improving knee range of motion in adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. Twelve adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome were allocated randomly into two groups. The first group received PNF hold-relax techniques targeting the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, together with a progressive rehabilitation exercise programme. The second group received the progressive rehabilitation exercise programme alone. Both groups participated in rehabilitation sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Knee pain and range of motion were assessed before the intervention, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks. The study will compare changes in pain and knee mobility between the two groups to determine whether adding PNF relaxation techniques provides additional benefits to progressive rehabilitation exercises. The findings may help inform rehabilitation approaches for adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is an overuse-related condition affecting the tibial tubercle apophysis in adolescents, particularly those participating in sports involving repetitive running, jumping, and forceful quadriceps contraction. It commonly presents with anterior knee pain and tenderness around the tibial tubercle, which may interfere with sports participation and physical activity. Conservative management generally includes activity modification and progressive rehabilitation exercises. However, additional approaches that may improve muscle flexibility, movement tolerance, and knee mobility warrant further investigation. \*\*Study objective\*\* The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of combining proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) relaxation techniques with a progressive rehabilitation exercise programme on knee pain and range of motion in adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome, compared with progressive rehabilitation exercises alone. \*\*Study design and participants\*\* This study uses a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled design involving 12 adolescent athletes with clinically diagnosed Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. Participants are allocated equally into two groups, with six participants in each group. \*\*Intervention group: Combined PNF and progressive rehabilitation (CPRE)\*\* Participants in the experimental group receive PNF hold-relax techniques targeting the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups, in addition to a structured progressive rehabilitation exercise programme. The programme includes lower-limb strengthening exercises and exercises targeting the hip and core musculature. \*\*Comparison group: Progressive rehabilitation exercises (RE)\*\* Participants in the comparison group receive the structured progressive rehabilitation exercise programme without the additional PNF relaxation techniques. \*\*Intervention duration and frequency\*\* Both groups participate in rehabilitation sessions three times per week over a 12-week period. Each session lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. \*\*Outcome assessments\*\* Clinical assessments are performed at three time points: baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. The principal outcomes include: 1. Knee pain: Pain intensity is assessed during the specified knee movements using a visual analogue scale (VAS). 2. Knee range of motion: Knee mobility is evaluated using goniometric measurements, including knee flexion and extension. The study compares changes in these outcomes over time between the combined intervention group and the progressive rehabilitation group. \*\*Data analysis\*\* Changes in outcome measures are evaluated using a two-way mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance to examine the effects of group, time, and the group-by-time interaction. Statistical significance is evaluated using the prespecified significance level. \*\*Potential significance\*\* This study is intended to provide preliminary evidence regarding whether adding PNF hold-relax techniques to progressive rehabilitation exercises offers additional benefits for reducing knee pain and improving knee mobility in adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. The findings may contribute to the development of rehabilitation strategies for this population.