The effect of exercise regimens on reflex response time of the vasti muscles in patients with anterior knee pain: a prospective randomized intervention study.

The purpose of this prospective randomized intervention study was to evaluate the effect of two exercise protocols on reflex response time of vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), in patients with anterior knee pain. Sixty patients were randomized into a 5-week treatment program, which consisted of only open kinetic chain tonification exercises (group I) (n = 30), or only closed kinetic chain tonification exercises (group II) (n = 30). Assessment of an aspect of neuromotor control was obtained by measuring the reflex response times of VMO and VL at the time of initial clinical examination, at the end of the exercise period (five weeks), and three months after the completion of the exercise period. At these evaluation occasions, the intensity and the number of times that the patients experienced anterior knee pain during daily life was recorded on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). No alterations in reflex response times of VMO and VL were observed in either group. Changes of anterior knee pain over time were statistically significant in both groups. Only small and not statistically supported differences in anterior knee pain were found between the two groups. These results suggest that the reflex response times of the two vasti muscles can not be altered after a five week open or closed kinetic chain exercise program. In contrast, knee pain decreased significantly in both groups.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes