Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
VOLUME 101, ISSUE 4, P613-623, APRIL 01, 2020
Liliam B. Priore, MSc
Abstract
Objective
To investigate the effect of a knee brace compared with minimal intervention on self-reported kinesiophobia and function, objective function, and physical activity level in people with patellofemoral pain (PFP).
Design
Single-blind randomized controlled trial (1:1), parallel.
Participants
Individuals with PFP (N=50).
Main Outcome Measures
Primary: kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia). Secondary: self-reported function (Anterior Knee Pain Scale), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and objective function (forward step-down test). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T 0), at the end of the intervention (2wk) (T 1), and at 6 weeks after baseline (T 2).
Intervention
Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 interventions groups: (1) use of knee brace for 2 weeks during daily living, sports, or painful tasks (brace group) and (2) educational leaflet with information about PFP (leaflet group).
Results
The knee brace reduced kinesiophobia in people with PFP compared with minimal intervention with moderate effect size at T 1=mean difference (95% CI) −5.56 (−9.18 to −1.93) and T 2=−5.24 (−8.58 to −1.89). There was no significant difference in self-reported and objective function and physical activity level.
Conclusions
The knee brace improved kinesiophobia immediately after intervention (at 2wk) and at 6-week follow-up in people with PFP compared with minimal intervention. A knee brace may be considered within clinically reasoned paradigms to facilitate exercise therapy interventions for people with PFP.