Despite the prevalence, chronicity, and impact of
patellofemoral pain syndrome, there is often disagreement
on how best to treat the condition.
Management options cross a spectrum, ranging
from just advising relative rest until symptom resolution
occurs, to various exercise permutations or
combinations with some form of taping or bracing.
There is no consensus regarding the cause and treatment
of the syndrome
The aim of the present study was to explore
whether various exercise-based physiotherapy
treatments may have different effectiveness on
symptoms and clinical findings in individuals with
patellofemoral pain syndrome. According to a systematic
review of exercise therapy benefits for
patellofemoral pain syndrome,10 there is only limited
evidence that exercise is more effective than
non-exercise in reducing pain. Furthermore, evidence
as to whether exercise provides functional
improvement is conflicting.
No studies have compared a physiotherapy protocol
focused on proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation techniques combined with aerobic
exercise with an analytic treatment approach based
on strengthening and stretching muscles to assess
whether either provides additional benefits.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore
the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
techniques combined with an aerobic exercise
protocol on the perceived pain symptoms, knee
movement, and function.