Shock Wave Therapy Versus Neuromuscular Training in Women With Patellofemoral Pain

Medical University of Silesia

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Knee Pain Chronic

Treatments: Other: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT); Other: Neuromuscular Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03324204

kolanostudentki

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the trial is to compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) versus neuromuscular training (TR) in reducing pain in women with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Women with PFP will be randomly divided into two therapeutic groups: ESWT and TR. The ESWT group will undergo extracorporeal shock wave therapy to the iliotibial band and tensor fascia latae. The TR group will be treated with neuromuscular training. The women's gait will be analysed and the strength of hip abductors and internal rotators will be measured. Additionally, the women's pain and health status will be assessed with the visual analogue scale and the Lysholm Scale. Outcomes will be registered at baseline, and then at five weeks and at three months post-therapy

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Knee pain for more than three months greater than three on the visual analogue scale (VAS) during at least two out of four typical activities:

1. ascending or descending the stairs,
2. prolonged sitting with flexed knee,
3. running or jumping,
4. squatting or kneeling.

Exclusion criteria

1. Orthopaedic diagnosis other than PFP.
2. Patients with neurological disorders, history of injury or operations within the symptomatic leg, rheumatoid disease, or pregnancy were also excluded from the study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

100 participants in 2 patient groups

Neuromuscular Training

Experimental group

Description:

Each session lasted 30 minutes and consisted of three sets of exercises with 20-30 repetitions. Emphasis is placed on proper knee alignment during exercise. Most of the women exhibit excessive medial rotation and adduction of the femur, resulting in knee valgus. The women will be instructed how to correct their abnormalities using mirrors as visual feedback. All exercises will be completed without pain. If the exercises are too easy, the level of difficulty will be increased individually in accordance with the rehabilitation protocol

Treatment:

Other: Neuromuscular Training

Shock Wave Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

The ESWT group will will meet the therapist twice in the first week, and once a week after it. ESWT will be applied to the iliotibial band and tensor fascia latae with the following parameters: pressure - 4.5 bar, emission frequency -8 Hz, number of pulses per dose -2,500 per session.

Treatment:

Other: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)