Electromyographic biofeedback-controlled exercise versus conservative carefor patellofemoral pain syndrome

Objective: To determine the effects of electromyographic biofeedback treatm ent in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: A physical medicine and rehabilitation department in a research ho spital of a university referral center. Patients: Sixty patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Patients were r andomly placed into 2 groups: biofeedback group (ra = 30) and a control gro up (n = 30). Intervention: The biofeedback group received electromyographic biofeedback training and a conventional exercise program, whereas the control group rec eived a conventional exercise program only. Main Outcome Measures: Maximum and mean contraction values of the vastus me dialis and the vastus lateralis muscles were assessed with the biofeedback device. Pain and functional status of the patients were measured by a visua l analog scale (VAS) and the Functional Index Questionnaire (FIQ), respecti vely. Results: Contraction values improved significantly at the end of the first month, compared with the pretreatment values in both groups. Mean contracti on values in the biofeedback group of the vastus medialis muscles in all 3 monthly measurements; and the vastus lateralis muscles at the end of the fi rst month, were significantly higher than those of the control group. Signi ficant improvements were shown for both the VAS and the FIQ in both groups. Monthly follow-ups showed no VAS and FIQ differences between the groups. Conclusion: Electromyographic biofeedback treatment did not result in furth er clinical improvement when compared with a conventional exercise program in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.