How effective is an evidence-based exercise intervention in individuals with patellofemoral pain?

Greaves, H; Comfort, P; Liu, A; Herrington, LC; Jones, R

Abstract

Objectives
Guidelines for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for patellofemoral pain (PFP) have been developed by international experts. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of such a rehabilitative exercise programme on pain, function, kinesiophobia, running biomechanics, quadriceps strength and quadriceps muscle inhibition in individuals with PFP.

Design
Observational study.

Setting
Clinical environment.

Participants
Twenty-seven participants with PFP.

Main outcome measures
Symptoms [numeric pain rating scale (NPRS)and the pain subscale of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)], function measured by using the KUJALA scale and KOOS, kinesiophobia measured by using the Tampa scale, three-dimensional biomechanical running data, quadriceps isometric, concentric and eccentric strength and arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) were acquired before and after the six-week exercise programme.

Results
Although pain did not significantly improve all patients were pain-free after the six-week exercise programme (NPRS: p = 0.074). Function, kinesiophobia and quadriceps AMI improved significantly after the six-week exercise programme (KUJALA: p = 0.001, KOOS: p = 0.0001, Tampa: p = 0.017, AMI: p = 0.018). Running biomechanics during stance phase did not change after the exercise intervention. Quadriceps strength was not different after the six-week exercise programme (isometric: p = 0.992, concentric: p = 0.075, eccentric: p = 0.351).

Conclusion
The results of this study demonstrate that the current exercise recommendations can improve function and kinesiophobia and reduce pain and AMI in individuals with PFP. There is a need for reconsideration of the current exercise guidelines in stronger individuals with PFP.

Citation

Greaves, H., Comfort, P., Liu, A., Herrington, L., & Jones, R. (2021). How effective is an evidence-based exercise intervention in individuals with patellofemoral pain?. Physical Therapy in Sport, 51, 92-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.05.013

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 28, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 13, 2021
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 19, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 13, 2022
• Journal: Physical Therapy in Sport
• Print ISSN: 1466-853X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 51
• Pages: 92-101
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.05.013
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.05.013
• Related Public URLs: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/product/cws_home/623067/description