Protonics Knee Brace Versus Hamstring Resisted Exercise (HRE) on Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Condition: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
MeSH terms: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Syndrome; Somatoform Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      ProtonicsTM Knee brace has been suggested as an intervention for patients with patellofemoral
      pain syndrome (PFPS). However, the effectiveness of this knee brace compared to traditional
      conservative methods knee rehabilitation is lacking. The objective of this randomized
      controlled trial was to compare the effect of ProtonicsTM knee brace vs. sports cord on knee
      pain and function in patients with PFPS.
    

Detailed description: 
      The purpose of this graduate student research study was to compare the effect of ProtonicsTM
      knee brace vs. sports cord on knee pain and function in patients with PFPS.

      Design: Randomized controlled trial.

      Setting: Loma Linda University.

      Participants: Subjects with patellofemoral pain will participate in the study.

      Intervention: Subjects will be randomized to one of two treatment groups, the ProtonicsTM
      knee brace or the sport cord to complete a series of resistance exercises over the course of
      4 weeks.

      Main Outcome Measures: Both groups will be evaluated according to the following clinical
      outcomes: Anterior pelvic tilt (APT), hip internal/external rotation, and iliotibial band
      flexibility. The following functional outcomes were also assessed: Global Rating of Change
      (GROC) scale, the Kujala score, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the lateral step-down
      test.
    

Intervention name(s): Protonics Knee brace; Sports Cords
Intervention type(s): Device; Device
Intervention description(s): The Protonics system has been introduced to physical therapists as a potential treatment for PFPS. The system includes a brace set to resist knee flexion and a set of specific exercises to perform daily. Through resistance to knee flexion, the system is advertised to decrease retropatellar contact pressure due to changes in pelvis inclination and available hip rotation. Specifically, resistance to knee flexion is purported to increase hamstring activity and inhibit the activity of the tensor fasciae latae and psoas muscles. The manufacturer asserts that prolonged use of the system results in greater hamstring activation, which leads to permanent structural changes through reciprocal inhibition at the hip and pelvis. The warm-up consisted of the subject wearing the ProtonicsTM knee brace set at a moderate resistance level and flexing the knees while sitting, standing, and reclining in the supine and prone positions.; Subjects assigned to the sport cord group were asked to do the same warm-ups and exercises using the sport cord in the supine, standing, sitting, and prone positions. prone. The only difference is that subjects were asked to only walk backwards instead of forwards in order to avoid activation of the hip flexor muscle. The appropriate level of resistance for each subject was calculated by multiplying their weight in pounds by 0.3. Subjects were then given either light, medium, or heavy resistance cords according to the following classification scheme: light (pink color) with resistance 3 (R3), 0-30 lbs.; medium (orange color) with resistance 5 (R5) 0-50 lbs.; heavy (yellow color) with resistance 7 (R7) 0-70 lbs. All subjects completed three study visits, and a total of four measurements were taken at baseline, immediately following the first session, at two weeks, and at 4 weeks.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment