RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Is Online Patient EducatioN Feasible in People With Patellofemoral Pain Whilst They Wait for Physiotherapy

This study is investigating if an online learning course can help people in the UK who have pain around their kneecap, often called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. The main goal is to find out if offering this online education is a good and practical idea for patients while they are waiting for their physiotherapy appointments. It's a first step to see if this method works well and if patients like it. If successful, the information gathered will be used to plan a bigger study in the future. The study wants to understand if an online tool can help you understand your pain better and manage it yourself before you even start face-to-face physiotherapy.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

28 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

Patello Femoral Syndrome

What is this study about?

Imagine you have pain around your kneecap, a common condition often called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. You've been referred to physiotherapy, but there's a waiting list. This study wants to find out if an online educational tool could help you understand and manage your pain during this waiting period, without disrupting your usual care.

The research wants to see if this online learning is a helpful and practical option for patients. It's a 'feasibility' study, which means it's testing whether something is possible and well-received before a larger, more in-depth study is carried out. The results will help researchers decide if this online education should be offered more widely.

Participants will be split into two groups: one will get access to an online learning platform with information about their pain, exercises, and treatment options. The other group will continue with their usual care (meaning they won't get the online tool during the study period). This helps researchers compare the experiences of both groups to see if the online education makes a difference.

Key takeaways

This study explores if online learning helps kneecap pain.
It's for people waiting for NHS physiotherapy in specific areas.
You might get access to a special online education tool for 6 weeks.
Your regular physiotherapy care will not be affected.
It's a trial to see if this online approach is practical for patients.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be between 18 and 44 years old, and have pain around your kneecap that started gradually and gets worse with activities like running, jumping, climbing stairs, or squatting. You also need to have been referred for physiotherapy at Colchester Hospital within the ESNEFT NHS Trust and be able to understand English.

There are certain reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you are 45 years or older, if your knee pain started after a serious injury or surgery, or if you have other knee problems at the same time. Also, if a doctor thinks your pain isn't Patellofemoral Pain during an examination, or if you can't understand English or give your consent, you wouldn't be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 44 years old?
Do you have gradual pain around your kneecap, worse with activities like squatting or stairs?
Have you been referred for physiotherapy at Colchester Hospital (ESNEFT)?
Can you read and understand English?
Is your pain NOT from a recent injury or surgery?
Do you NOT have other serious knee problems?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first have a face-to-face appointment to confirm your kneecap pain diagnosis. After that, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups, a bit like flipping a coin. One group will get access to a special online learning platform designed to help you understand and manage your pain. This platform has four sections, covering things like understanding your pain, how to start exercising, and treatment choices. You can go through these at your own pace, but it's suggested to do about one section per week over four weeks. We'll know you've completed each section if you do a short quiz at the end. If you don't have internet access, a paper version of the materials can be provided.

The other group will continue with their usual care while they are on the physiotherapy waiting list, meaning they won't get the online education during the study period. Your involvement in the study will last for six weeks, and the control group will be offered access to the online platform after this time if they want it. Your routine physiotherapy will not be affected by taking part.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part in this study could include gaining a better understanding of your kneecap pain and learning ways to manage it yourself, potentially before you even start physiotherapy, if you are in the online education group. For the control group, you would be helping research that could benefit future patients. As this is an online educational tool and not a medical treatment, serious risks are very low. The main commitment is your time. Remember, participating in any study is voluntary, and you are free to withdraw at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your routine medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Colchester, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

It's a common type of pain felt around or behind your kneecap, often worse during activities like running, climbing stairs, or prolonged sitting.

Will I still get my physiotherapy appointment?

Yes, taking part in this study will not affect your place on the physiotherapy waiting list or your routine care.

What if I don't have internet or a device?

If you are in the online education group and don't have internet or a device, you will be given a paper version of the materials.

How long will the study last for me?

Your involvement in the study will last for six weeks.

Can I stop being part of the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can choose to leave the study at any time, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Bradley Neal

r&d@esneft.nhs.uk 01473 704343 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.