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Long-term Effects of the Addition of Diathermy by Emission of Radiofrequency to Therapeutic Exercise in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Patients

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Patellofemoral Pain
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patello Femoral Syndrome
Interventions
Device: Diathermy by emission of Radiofrequency
Other: Therapeutic exercise
Registration Number
NCT05471089
Lead Sponsor
University of Jaén
Brief Summary

Introduction: the management of Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is focused on therapeutic exercise (TE) to improve muscle strength and motor control. Recent studies suggest that the addition of radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) obtain greater short-term improvements in knee pain than TE alone. As there is no follow up data, the aim of this research is to assess the long-term effects of adding RFD to TE on pain, function and quality of life on PFP patients.

Methods: a single-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Participants diagnosed of PFP will be allocated in either a TE group or a RFD+TE one. Sociodemographic data, knee pain, and lower limb function will be collected. Each group will performed 20 min of daily knee and hip supervised TE along three weeks with the addition of ten sessions of RFD for the RFD+TE group.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
86
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subjects between 30 and 50 years old without radiological findings of osteoarthritis.
  • Subjects referring during the last month almost three points of pain in the anterior surface of knee measured with Visual Analogue Scale.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Subjects with contraindications for the treatment with radiofrequency diathermy (tumors, use of pacemakers or any other implanted electronic device, thrombophlebitis or deep venous thrombosis, pregnancy, fever, active tuberculosis, infections and rheumatoid arthritis).
  • Subjects who have received corticoid or hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma injections treatment in the knee.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ExperimentalTherapeutic exerciseApplication of radiofrequency diathermy in addition to the exercises protocol same Exercise protocol than control group. Ten sessions of treatment were applied: daily the first week (Monday to Friday), three the second week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and two the last week (Monday and Thursday)
ControlTherapeutic exerciseExercise protocol consisting of: eccentric and concentric strengthening of quadriceps (three squat series of 20 repetitions), hamstrings (three series of 20 seconds performing the bridge exercise), gluteus medius (three series of 20 seconds performing the clam exercise), gastrocnemius and soleus (three series of stretching exercises for 1 minute each). These exercises will be performed along 20 minutes approximately with a minute of rest between each exercise series, never exceeding 3mm in VAS. Participants have to assist to a local facility center to be supervised at doing the exercises daily (from Monday two Friday) along three weeks.
ExperimentalDiathermy by emission of RadiofrequencyApplication of radiofrequency diathermy in addition to the exercises protocol same Exercise protocol than control group. Ten sessions of treatment were applied: daily the first week (Monday to Friday), three the second week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and two the last week (Monday and Thursday)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Knee functionThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Knee function measured with "Kujala score"

Knee painThrough study completion, an average of 6 months

Pain measured with Visual Analogue Scale

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centro de Salud San José de la Rinconada

🇪🇸

Seville, Spain

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