Abstract

Introduction: Patellofemoral Pain is one of the most common causes of knee pain and its treatment remains challenging to manage, with high rates of symptom recurrence. Subgrouping has been suggested as a strategy to enhance treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of two exercise intervention protocols on pain, function, biomechanical outcomes and electromyography in the ‘strong’ subgroup of patellofemoral pain. The experimental protocol will consist of proprioceptive exercises, and the comparator will focus on strengthening exercises.
Methods and analysis: This randomized controlled trial will recruit 12 individuals to each exercise group, and will assess pain, function, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, biomechanical outcomes and muscle activity pre and post intervention. The experimental group will perform proprioceptive exercises based on balance and neuromuscular control, and the comparator group will perform exercises focused on strengthening of the knee and hip muscles. Both interventions will be administered by a physiotherapist in a clinical setting three times a week, for 60 minutes each session, over a period of 6 weeks. Mixed Model statistical tests will be used to determine the responses to the two interventions between the two groups over the intervention period.
Ethics and dissemination: The RCT was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto (CEFADE 30_2023) and will be carried out following the updated Declaration of Helsinki principles. Results will be presented at conferences and will be published in peer-reviewed journals.