A Self-Directed Web-Based Education for Boston Marathon Runners With Patellofemoral Pain

Part of paid clinical trials in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Boston Children's Hospital
Study ID
NCT07266922
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

  • Patellofemoral Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 45 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Education Platform-MyKneeCap.com — BEHAVIORAL
    This intervention uses MyKneeCap.com, a free, web-based educational platform designed to help runners understand their knee pain. The platform provides information about patellofemoral pain and includes exercise programs aimed at reducing pain and improving knee function. This intervention does not involve any drugs, devices, or other procedural components.

Study Details

Runners experience diverse lower extremity injuries, and the most common is patellofemoral pain (PFP)-commonly known as "runner's knee" and characterized by pain around and/or behind the kneecap. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week, self-directed, web-based education program for runners competing in the 2026 Boston Marathon. The study will evaluate outcomes, including pain, function, and marathon performance, in runners who use a web-based educational program designed to help them understand and manage knee pain. There will be two groups: Group 1 will receive the 6-week web-based educational program prior to the 2026 Boston Marathon, while Group 2 will serve as the wait-and-see control group (no intervention) prior to the marathon and then receive the same program 6 weeks after completing the marathon.

Key Dates

Start date
Feb 20, 2026
Status verified
Mar 2026
Primary completion
Jun 1, 2026
Completion
Jul 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
104 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Pre-Marathon Education
    This group will receive the educational platform for 6 weeks prior to the 2026 Boston Marathon. Participants will have access to MyKneeCap.com, a web-based platform designed to provide runners with evidence-based education on the physical and non-physical factors contributing to patellofemoral pain, as well as strategies for self-managing symptoms tailored specifically for runners.
  • Other: Wait-and-See Control / Post-Marathon Education
    This group will serve as a wait-and-see control (no intervention) prior to the 2026 Boston Marathon. After completing the marathon, participants will receive access to MyKneeCap.com, a web-based platform designed to provide runners with evidence-based education on the physical and non-physical factors contributing to patellofemoral pain, as well as strategies for self-managing symptoms tailored specifically for runners.

Primary Outcome Measure

Clinical outcomes (pain) [ Time Frame: 6-weeks leading up to the Boston Marathon, or 6-weeks post completion of Boston Marathon ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Boston Children's HospitalWalthamMassachusetts02453-

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By research site
Boston Children's Hospital· Waltham, MA

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