Biofeedback supplementation to physiotherapy exercise programme for rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the efficacy of electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback supplementation to exercise rehabilitation for people with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

DESIGN:

Double-blinded randomized clinical controlled pilot trial.

SETTING:

Clinical setting with home programme.

PARTICIPANTS:

Twenty-six subjects diagnosed with patellofemoral pain.

INTERVENTION:

Subjects were randomly assigned into EMG biofeedback+exercise group or exercise-only group. All subjects participated in an eight-week home exercise programme, while the biofeedback group also received EMG visual feedback of their quadriceps muscle activities during the exercises.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Isokinetic knee extension strength, patellar alignments and perceived pain severity were assessed in weeks 0, 4 and 8 for all subjects. The data within and between groups were compared by repeated measures ANOVA with alpha=0.05.

RESULTS:

Both groups improved in isokinetic peak torque (P=0.005), work output (P=0.037) and patellar alignments (P=0.001-0.014). Besides, there was a trend of decrease in pain (P=0.088). The biofeedback group improved faster than the exercise group in lateral patellar rotation and peak torque per body weight, although no statistically significant difference was shown.

CONCLUSION:

Biofeedback supplement to the exercise programme might hasten the improvement for subjects with patellofemoral pain in the first few weeks of a physiotherapy exercise programme, but this needs further study before being used.

• Authors: Selina L M Yip, Gabriel Y F Ng
• Journal: Clinical rehabilitation (Clin Rehabil) Vol. 20 Issue 12 Pg. 1050-7 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 0269-2155 [Print] England
• PMID: 17148516 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Double-Blind Method
• Electromyography
• Exercise Therapy
• Feedback
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (rehabilitation)
• Pilot Projects