NCT05959148

Adjuvant Effects of Monochromatic Infrared Energy in Rehabilitation of Adolescents With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Would Integrating Monochromatic Infrared Energy Into the Physical Rehabilitation of Adolescents With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Have Any Advantageous Effects? a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 46 (actual)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 15 Years – 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Conditions

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Monochromatic infrared energy	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.
OTHER	Traditional physical therapy	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).

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-10-03
• Primary completion: 2022-09-29
• Completion: 2022-09-29
• First posted: 2023-07-25
• Last updated: 2023-07-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Saudi Arabia