Abstract
Objective: To compare the efficacy of posterolateral hip muscle strengthening versus quadriceps strengthening in reducing pain and improving
health status in persons with patellofemoral pain (PFP).
Design: Comparative control trial.
Setting: Rehabilitation facility.
Participants: Persons with a diagnosis of PFP (NZ36; 18 men, 18 women).
Interventions: Patients were alternately assigned to a posterolateral hip muscle strengthening group (9 men and 9 women) or a quadriceps
strengthening group (9 men and 9 women). The posterolateral hip muscle strengthening group performed hip abductor and external rotator
strengthening exercises, whereas the quadriceps strengthening group performed quadriceps strengthening exercises (3 times a week for 8wk).
Main Outcome Measures: Pain (visual analog scale [VAS]) and health status (Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index
[WOMAC]) were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Results: Significant improvements in VAS and WOMAC scores were observed in both groups from baseline to postintervention and baseline to
6-month follow-up (P