Adjuvant Effects of Monochromatic Infrared Energy in Rehabilitation of Adolescents With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Condition: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
MeSH terms: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Syndrome; Somatoform Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study assessed if integrating monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE) would affect pain,
      dynamic postural control, functional status, and health-related quality of life in
      adolescents with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Forty-six patients with PFPS were
      randomly allocated to the MIRE group (n = 23, received the received MIRE in addition to the
      traditional physical therapy program) or the control group (n = 23, received the traditional
      physical therapy program only). Both groups were assessed for pain, dynamic postural control,
      functional status, and health-related quality before and after intervention.
    

Detailed description: 
      Forty-six adolescents with PFPS were recruited from the university's outpatient orthopedic
      and physical therapy clinics and two referral hospitals in AlKharj, Saudi Arabia. The study
      included patients who were 15-18 years old, had anterior-knee or retro-patellar pain that
      increase with activities like squatting, running, prolonged sitting, or stair climbing, had
      PFPS with insidious onset for more than 6 weeks without any traumatic incidence, and were not
      participating in a regular exercise program in the past 3 months. Patients who had meniscal
      tears, collateral/cruciate ligament injury, knee arthritis, a history of knee/hip surgery, or
      previous patellar subluxation/dislocation were excluded.

      Outcome measures

      Pain: Pain during rest and/or movement was assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale.

      Dynamic postural control: The dynamic postural control was assessed through the modified star
      excursion balance test (mSEBT).

      Functional status: The functional status was evaluated using the Arabic version of the
      Anterior Knee Pain Questionnaire (Kujala Questionnaire).

      Quality of life: The quality of life was assessed through the self-report Pediatric Quality
      of Life Inventory.

      Interventions

      The MIRE group underwent MIRE application on the affected knee for 40 minutes, 3 times a week
      for 3 consecutive months. The MIRE was delivered using an Anodyne Therapy Professional
      Infrared Therapy System (parameter: a wavelength of 890 nm and radiant power at a rate of
      6.24 W). Participants in the MIRE group further received the traditional physical therapy
      program (60 minutes/session) that consisted of stretching and strengthening exercises for the
      muscles surrounding the hip and knee, balance exercises, as well as other electrotherapeutic
      modalities (ultrasound and hot application). The control group received the traditional
      physical therapy program only.
    

Intervention name(s): Monochromatic infrared energy; Traditional physical therapy
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): The monochromatic infrared energy was delivered through an Anodyne Therapy Professional Infrared Therapy System. Light energy (parameter: a wavelength of 890 nm and radiant power at a rate of 6.24 W) was produced through 8 array diode therapy pads applied on both knees (on the medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior aspects of each knee), each including 60 super-luminescent gallium-aluminum arsenide diodes. The MIRE was applied for 40 minutes/session, three times a week, for three successive months.; The traditional physical therapy program consisted of stretching and strengthening exercises for the muscles surrounding the hip and knee, balance exercises, as well as other electrotherapeutic modalities (ultrasound and hot application).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment