Study Title: The Effect of Pain Provocation on Joint Loading and Social Behaviors in PFP: A Mixed Methods Approach
Purpose: To compare knee joint loading between individuals with kneecap pain and healthy controls. We are also investigating the effect of kneecap pain on social behaviors.
Participant Restrictions: For both the healthy and kneecap pain groups, we are looking for individuals to be between 18 and 40 years old. You must have kneecap pain greater than 3/10 in the past week to be included in the kneecap pain group. 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 12-months, 3) had a previous injury to your meniscus, 4) have any laxity of your knee ligaments, 5) had your kneecap dislocate (move out of place and stay out), 6) have another form of anterior knee pain (pain in tendon or bursa), 7) have any swelling at the knee, or 8) have any referred pain from your low back.
Measurements: Both groups will be completing functional tasks such as jumping and walking. The kneecap pain group will wear an activity monitor for 2 weeks to assess physical activity and sleep patterns. The kneecap pain group will also perform a pain provocation test, which will consist of walking up and down stairs with a weighted backpack. The kneecap pain group will also participate in an interview where researchers ask questions about the social impacts of their kneecap pain.
Time to complete study: PFP Group = ~240 minutes (4 Hours) / Healthy Group = ~90 minutes (1.5 Hours)
Payment Amount: Participants in the healthy cohort will receive up to $15, while participants in the kneecap pain cohort will receive up to $30.
This study was approved by the UConn IRB, Protocol #H24- 0418.
For more information, contact: Timothy Gilgallon at timothy.gilgallon@uconn.edu