Patellar Tendon Physiotheraphy Acute Effects Trial (PTPAFT)

Dokuz Eylül University (DEU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Patellar Tendon

Treatments: Other: Quadriceps Exercise; Other: Thermal Agent Application; Other: Deep Friction Massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07315906

PTT-2025-DEU

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial investigated the acute effects of different physiotherapy interventions applied to the patellar tendon. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: deep friction massage, thermal agent application, quadriceps resistance exercise, or a control group. Each intervention was delivered in a single session. Outcomes of the study included changes in skin temperature, muscle strength, flexibility, and pulse rate. All measurements were taken immediately before the intervention and again immediately after, 15 minutes after, and 60 minutes after the intervention. The study was conducted with healthy adult volunteers. The results of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how different physiotherapy modalities acutely influence the patellar tendon region.

Full description

This study examined the immediate physiological responses of the patellar tendon region following different physiotherapy interventions. Participants were allocated into four groups: (1) deep friction massage applied directly to the patellar tendon, (2) a locally applied superficial thermal agent, (3) a structured quadriceps resistance exercise protocol, and (4) a no-intervention control group. Each intervention was administered as a single session under standardized laboratory conditions.

Outcome measures included skin temperature assessed with thermal imaging, quadriceps muscle strength measured with a handheld dynamometer, flexibility assessed by standardized clinical procedures, and pulse rate. All measurements were collected at four time points: immediately before the intervention, immediately after, 15 minutes after, and 60 minutes after the intervention.

The study was conducted with healthy adult volunteers to evaluate the acute physiological effects of commonly used physiotherapy modalities on the patellar tendon region. The findings are intended to inform clinical decision-making by clarifying how different physiotherapy techniques influence tendon-related parameters within the first hour following treatment.

Enrollment: 84 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 24 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Ages 18 to 24 years
• Not having engaged in regular exercise training within the past 6 months
• Body Mass Index (BMI) below 30
• Ability to complete all assessment procedures
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of any systemic or musculoskeletal disorder
• Onset of pain during the assessment procedure
• History of knee joint or peri-articular injury within the past 6 months
• Presence of neurological, vascular, or rheumatological disease
• Any dermatological condition that may affect skin integrity

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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84 participants in 4 patient groups

Deep Friction Massage

Experimental group

Description:

A single session of deep friction massage applied directly to the patellar tendon

Treatment:

Other: Deep Friction Massage

Thermal Agent Application

Experimental group

Description:

A locally applied superficial thermal agent delivered as a single session.

Treatment:

Other: Thermal Agent Application

Quadriceps Exercise

Experimental group

Description:

A single session of standardized quadriceps resistance exercise protocol.

Treatment:

Other: Quadriceps Exercise

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

No treatment administered; participants remained at rest during the session.