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International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2017; 4(4): 413-416
P-ISSN: 2394-1685
E-ISSN: 2394-1693
Impact Factor (ISRA): 5.38
IJPESH 2017; 4(4): 413-416
© 2017 IJPESH
www.kheljournal.com
Received: 22-05-2017
Accepted: 24-06-2017
Paul Daniel VK
Professor, RV College of
Physiotherapy, Bangalore,
Karnataka, India
Pruthviraj R
Principal RV College of
Physiotherapy, Bangalore,
Karnataka, India
Shwetha SS
Assistant Professor, RV
College of Physiotherapy
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Correspondence
Paul Daniel VK
Professor, RV College of
Physiotherapy, Bangalore,
Karnataka, India
Comparative efficacy of short arc quadriceps exercise
with and without EMG biofeedback in reducing pain
and strengthening Vastus Medialis Obliques (VMO) in
patients with patellofemoral dysfunction
Paul Daniel VK, Pruthviraj R and Shwetha SS
Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of Short Arc Quadriceps Exercise With and Without
EMG Biofeedback in Patients with Patellofemoral Dysfunction.
Patellofemoral joint disorder and pain syndrome are one of the most common musculoskeletal
pathologies treated by the orthopedic and sport medicine clinicians; yet the success rate of nonoperative
therapy varies significantly. McConnell reports one in four of the general population have patellofemoral
pain. Conservative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome is focused on restoring normal patellar
tracking by improving dynamic stability of particular interest to the clinicians has been the vastus medial
is oblique [VMO], it has been implicated as the primary medial stabilizer of the patella.
7
.Short arc
quadriceps exercises strengthen the VMO which helps in restoring normal patellar tracking. EMG
biofeedback can be given to reinforce muscle contraction.
Biofeedback may be useful as an adjunct to conventional therapy. Biofeedback may be useful for re-
education of muscle
.
So this study aims to compare the efficacy of short arc quadriceps exercises with
and without EMG biofeedback in strengthening VMO and reducing pain in patient with patellofemoral
dysfunction. Thirty patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomly placed into 2 groups:
Group A (n _ 15) and a Group B (n _ 15). Group A received short arc Quadriceps exercises along with
Electromyographic biofeedback whereas the Group B received only short arc quadriceps exercise for a
duration of 6 weeks. VMO strength were assessed by Electronic dynamometer and Pain by a visual
analog scale(VAS) on first day and after 6 weeks of intervention. VMO strength improved significantly
compared with the pre-treatment values in both groups. Mean VMO strength values in the experimental
group, were significantly higher than those of the control group. Significant improvements in VAS score
were seen in both groups, but Mean VAS score showed no differences between the groups. The study
demonstrated that there was a significant increase of VMO strength with EMG biofeedback but the
reduction of pain was similar in both groups. EMG biofeedback can be used as an adjunct in improving
VMO strength in patients with patella-femoral dysfunction.
Keywords: patellofemoral pain syndrome; electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback; anterior knee pain;
pain measurement
Introduction
Patellofemoral joint disorder and pain syndrome are one of the most common musculoskeletal
pathologies treated by the orthopedic and sport medicine clinicians; yet the success rate of
non-operative therapy varies significantly
[1]
.
McConnell reports one in four of the general population have patellofemoral pain
2-
. The
patient complains of the retropatellar or peripatellar pain [mainly medial side] precipitated by
prolong sitting [movie-goer’s sign] and the pain is proportional to the activity, particularly
evident when squatting or descending stairs. Generally, onset is insidious and progression is
slow. Patellar grind is positive and the patient complains of discomfort on palpation of the
medial and lateral borders of the patella. Giving way and instability is also common
[2]
.
Conservative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome is focused on restoring normal
patellar tracking by improving dynamic stability of particular interest to the clinicians has been
the vastus medialis oblique [VMO],