Muscle Training With and Without Vascular Occlusion of Women With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Random Clinical Trial

Effects of a Muscle Training Program With and Without Vascular Occlusion in Pain, Functionality, Postural Control and Muscular Recruitment of Women With Patellophemoral Pain Syndrome: A Random Clinical Trial

Introduction: The treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) uses the strengthening of the knee and hip muscles. Studies propose the use of partial vascular occlusion (OVP) of the quadriceps muscle to increase muscle strength and endurance, without joint overload or discomfort to the patient. However, there is no consensus on the use in individuals with PFPS. Objective: To establish the effect of quadriceps muscle strengthening with OVP and low resistance to exercise on pain, functionality, postural control and muscle recruitment in women with patellofemoral dysfunction. Methods: Women with PFPS (n = 20) will respond to pain and functionality scales. The postural control and muscle recruitment of the quadriceps will also be evaluated in dynamic activities of single-legged squat and up / down stairs using a force platform and surface electromyography. After the initial assessment, the participants will be randomized into two groups: conventional quadriceps strengthening with greater resistance loads to exercise and quadriceps strengthening with OVP and low loads. And they will perform a six-week treatment protocol with exercises to strengthen the quadriceps. At the end of the intervention protocols, all of them will be reassessed immediately, after four and eight weeks. Expected Results: It is expected that the group submitted to exercises with OVP and lower load will present the same results of postural control and muscle recruitment compared to the conventional strengthening group. These results will indicate the possibility of using exercises and loads with less joint impairment.

Inclusion Criteria:

Insidious onset of symptoms unrelated to trauma, pain for at least three months; pain greater than three (3/10) in at least three of the functional activities (squatting for a long time, going up or down stairs, kneeling, running, remaining in a sitting position for a long time), maximum 86 points on the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS).

Exclusion Criteria:

Signs and symptoms of other coexisting knee pathologies (arthrosis, prostheses, meniscal and ligament injuries), pain in other joints of the lower limb; lumbar spine pain, neurological, rheumatological, vascular and metabolic diseases; pregnancy; history of lower limb surgery; corticosteroid injection in the knee applied in the last three months, physiotherapy for knee rehabilitation in the last six months.