Payment Amount: $300.00 OR $400.00
Details for Payment: $400.00 includes two more assessments (MRI scan for muscle volume & 3D motion analysis; see below) compared to $300.00. Everything will be the same except for the two more assessments. You can choose which one you want to participate in and let me know when you email me. ClinCard, a reloadable debit card, that is available for use as a method to reimburse research participants, will be used for payment.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate 6-week rehabilitation exercises (3 times a week) on
(1) Self-reported function (all participants)
(2) Hip & thigh muscle volume (only participants for $400.00)
(3) Hip & thigh muscle strength (all participants)
(4) 2D motion analysis (all participants)
(5) 3D motion analysis (only participants for $400.00)
Participant Restrictions: To participate in the study as individuals with kneecap pain, participants must
(1) be between 18 and 40 years old
(2) have kneecap pain during at least two of the following activities: walking, running, jumping, squatting, prolonged sitting, kneeling, and stair ascending or descending
(3) have worst kneecap pain greater than 3/10 in the past week
You will not be able to participate in this study if you: 1) had surgery to your low back or lower extremity, 2) suffered another injury (besides the kneecap pain) to the low back or lower extremity in the past 6-months, 3) had a previous injury to your meniscus, 4) had your kneecap dislocate (move out of place and stay out), or 5) have a history of any neurological disease.
Measurements: You will complete self-reported questionnaires, hip & thigh muscle volume and strength, and 2D/3D motion analysis (single-leg squats, lunges, and walking). You will then be placed into a free 6-week telemedicine rehabilitation program with a licensed healthcare professional. All participants will be provided resistance bands from the study team. You will then complete the same questionnaires, hip & thigh muscle volume and strength, and 2D/3D motion analysis (single-leg squats, lunges, and walking). Finally, you will complete self-reported questionnaires and a single-leg squat remotely at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24- months after rehabilitation.
Where?
(1) For hip & thigh muscle strength and 2D/3D motion analysis: Room 104, Gampel Pavilion, 2095 Hillside Rd, Storrs, CT
(2) For hip & thigh muscle volume: Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC), 2 Alethia Drive Unit 1271 Storrs, CT 06269 (BIRC is located a 5-10-minute walk from the Gampel Pavilion and a 2-minute walk from the Graduate Storrs Hotel.); parking information: https://birc.uconn.edu/directions-parking/
(3) For rehabilitation program: A place where an individual can exercise with some tools (e.g., chair, couch, table, bed, etc.)
This study was approved by the UConn IRB, Protocol #HR22-0038.
For more information, contact: Sungwan Kim at sungwan.kim@uconn.edu