To be considered for the study, patients had to be female and have a diagnosis of PFP. The diagnosis of PFP was based on the location of symptoms (peripatellar and/ or retropatellar) and the reproduction of pain with activities commonly association with this condition, such as stair descent, squatting, kneeling, and prolonged sitting. Patients were screened by physical examination to rule out ligamentous laxity, meniscal injury, pes anserine bursitis, iliotibial band syndrome, and patellar tendinitis as possible causes of current symptoms. Patients were excluded from participation if they reported a history of previous patella dislocation, patellar frac- ture, or knee surgery.