Nayra Deise Dos Anjos Rabelo1, Leonardo Oliveira Pena Costa2, Bruna Maria de Lima3, Amir Curcio Dos Reis4, André Serra Bley5, Thiago Yukio Fukuda6, Paulo Roberto Garcia Lucareli7. 1. Human Motion Analysis Laboratory, Reabilitation Sciences Departament, Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: nrabelofisio@yahoo.com.br. 2. Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo - UNICID, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: lcos3060@gmail.com. 3. Human Motion Analysis Laboratory, Reabilitation Sciences Departament, Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: bru134@hotmail.com. 4. Human Motion Analysis Laboratory, Reabilitation Sciences Departament, Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: acrfisio@globo.com. 5. Human Motion Analysis Laboratory, Reabilitation Sciences Departament, Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: andrebley@hotmail.com. 6. Instituto Trata - Hip and Knee Rehab, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: tfukuda10@yahoo.com.br. 7. Human Motion Analysis Laboratory, Reabilitation Sciences Departament, Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: plucareli@hotmail.com.
Abstract
DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. BACKGROUND:Patients with Patellofemoral pain (PFP) usually present muscular weakness, pain and impaired motor control. Muscle strengthening is an effective treatment strategy for PFP, but the additional benefits of movement control training remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of movement control training associated with muscle strengthening, with a conventional program of strengthening alone in women with PFP. METHODS:Thirty-four women were randomly assigned to two groups. The Strengthening group (S group) performed 12 sessions to strengthen the knee and hip muscles. The Movement Control & Strengthening group (MC&S group) performed the same exercises and movement control training of the trunk and lower limbs. Effects of the treatment (i.e., between-group differences) were calculated using linear mixed models. Primary outcomes were function and pain intensity after completion of the treatment protocol. Secondary outcomes were; muscle strength and kinematic outcomes during the step down task after 4 weeks of treatment; and function and pain intensity 3 and 6 months after randomization. RESULTS: The MC&S group did not present significantly better function (MD -2.5 points, 95% CI;-10.7-5.5) or pain (MD -0.3 points, 95% CI;-1.7-1.0) at 4 weeks. There was a small difference in favour of the MC&S group for AKPS scores at 3 months (MD -8.5 points; 95% CI;-16.8 to -0.3). No significant between-group differences were observed for the other outcomes. CONCLUSION:Movement control training was no more effective than the isolated strengthening protocol, in terms of pain, function, muscle strength, or kinematics.
RCT Entities:
DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. BACKGROUND:Patients with Patellofemoral pain (PFP) usually present muscular weakness, pain and impaired motor control. Muscle strengthening is an effective treatment strategy for PFP, but the additional benefits of movement control training remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of movement control training associated with muscle strengthening, with a conventional program of strengthening alone in women with PFP. METHODS: Thirty-four women were randomly assigned to two groups. The Strengthening group (S group) performed 12 sessions to strengthen the knee and hip muscles. The Movement Control & Strengthening group (MC&S group) performed the same exercises and movement control training of the trunk and lower limbs. Effects of the treatment (i.e., between-group differences) were calculated using linear mixed models. Primary outcomes were function and pain intensity after completion of the treatment protocol. Secondary outcomes were; muscle strength and kinematic outcomes during the step down task after 4 weeks of treatment; and function and pain intensity 3 and 6 months after randomization. RESULTS: The MC&S group did not present significantly better function (MD -2.5 points, 95% CI;-10.7-5.5) or pain (MD -0.3 points, 95% CI;-1.7-1.0) at 4 weeks. There was a small difference in favour of the MC&S group for AKPS scores at 3 months (MD -8.5 points; 95% CI;-16.8 to -0.3). No significant between-group differences were observed for the other outcomes. CONCLUSION: Movement control training was no more effective than the isolated strengthening protocol, in terms of pain, function, muscle strength, or kinematics.