Effects of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation and Muscle Energy Technique in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

Effect of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation and Muscle Energy Technique in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the effects of Virtual reality rehabilitation and muscle energy techniques in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome for reducing pain, enhancing knee range of motion and improve functional activities.

Muscle energy technique is defined as a manual treatment in which patient produces a contraction in a precisely controlled position and direction against the counterforce applied by a manual therapist. Applications of MET to stretch and increase myofascial tissue extensibility seem to affect viscoelastic and plastic tissue property.

Virtual reality generates a virtual world in three dimensional space through a computer simulation that stimulates user senses, such as sight and hearing, making users feel as if they are immersed in it. VRBR is effective in improving knee pain, ROM, strength and functions. immersive VR is more appropriate for pain reduction, improving range of motion and functional activities. It distracts the patient and allows to perform active and rehabilitation exercises to reduce cognitive attention in pain and avoidance behavior.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age group 18-40
• Both males and females
• Retropatellar or anterior knee pain for atleast past 3 months
• Having knee pain in atleast 2 activities among stair ascent and descent,squatting over 90 degrees, running,jumping,kneeling and prolong sitting with knees flexed.
• Experience pain in one of the following knee tests; a) pain on patellar grinding test, b) pain on apprehension test, c) pain during resisted extension of the knee during 90 degree flexion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cervical radiculopathy
• Neurological disorder
• Pregnancy
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hip or ankle injuries
• Patellar instabilities
• Meniscal or ligament tear
• Who have visual or auditory problems
• With cognitive issues
• Previous surgery related to lower limbs/ radiculopathy
• having received knee injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid
• knee osteoarthritis
• drug use that affects the balance during the past 72 h.