The Effects of 12-Weeks of Sensorimotor Exercise on Pain, Strength, Pelvic Drop, and Dynamic Knee Valgus in Males With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is among the most prevalent complaints observed in healthcare clinics. This group of patients encounters Pelvic Drop (PD) and Dynamic Knee Valgus (DNV); its’ causes have been reported as pain and decreased muscle strength. The current study aimed to explore the effects of a 12-week Sensorimotor Exercise (SME) on pain, strength, PD, and DNV in males with PFPS.

This randomized double-blind clinical trial involved 32 patients with PFPS. The study samples were randomly divided into the experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. To assess pain, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used. Moreover, quadriceps muscle strength was measured by the hip abductor hand dynamometer. To analyze PD and DNV, camera and Kinova software were used during stairs descent. The experimental group performed 12 weeks of SME for 3 one-hour weekly sessions. However, the control group received no therapeutic intervention during this time. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). 

The data analysis results suggested that pain significantly reduced in the experimental group, compared to the control group, after twelve weeks of SME (P<0.001). Besides, quadriceps muscle strength (P<0.002) and hip abductor muscle strength (P<0.001) improved, and PD angle (P<0.002) and DNV (P<0.003) were reduced.

SME reduced pain and facilitated the frequency and time of muscle activation. It also increased the strength of the gluteus medius muscle as the main stabilizer of the pelvis chain and led to a reduction in PD and DNV. Thus, SME could be used as a comprehensive protocol treatment to improve various disorders in patients with PFPS.