Effectiveness of hip muscle strengthening in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients: a systematic review

Introduction: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is characterized by anterior knee pain, which may limit the performance of functional activities. The influence of hip joint motion on the development of this syndrome has already been documented in the literature. In this regard, studies have investigated the effectiveness of hip muscle strengthening in patients with PFPS. Objectives: The aims of this systematic review were (1) to summarize the literature related to the effects of hip muscle strengthening on pain intensity, muscle strength, and function in individuals with PFPS and (2) to evaluate the methodological quality of the selected studies. Method: A search for randomized controlled clinical trials was conducted using the following databases: Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PEDro, LILACS, and SciELO. The selected studies had to distinguish the effects of hip muscle strengthening in a group of patients with PFPS, as compared to non-intervention or other kinds of intervention, and had to investigate the following outcomes: pain, muscle strength, and function. The methodological quality of the selected studies was analyzed by means of the PEDro scale. Results: Seven studies were selected. These studies demonstrated that hip muscle strengthening was effective in reducing pain. However, the studies disagreed regarding the treatments' ability to improve muscle strength. Improvement in functional capabilities after hip muscle strengthening was found in five studies. Conclusion: Hip muscle strengthening is effective in reducing the intensity of pain and improving functional capabilities in patients with PFPS, despite the lack of evidence for its ability to increase muscle strength. .

A Dynamic Systems: constraints approach to rehabilitation / Uma abordagem dos sistemas dinâmicos: restrições para a reabilitação

BACKGROUND: Classification systems (Nagi, International Classification for Function [ICF]) have become popular for categorizing the level of ability (ICF) or disability (Nagi) associated with movement disorders. Nevertheless, these classifications do not explore the ways in which one level may influence other levels. For example, how might the weakness and stiffness associated with some cases of cerebral palsy result in a stereotypical toe-gait? In this overview we describe a dynamic systems/constraints (DS/C) approach to understand relationships between levels, and how the approach can be used to rationalize a novel process for the evaluation and treatment of movement disorders. OBJECTIVES: There are three specific aims in this paper: first to present a general systems approach to understanding behavior at different levels; second to present tools of, and the results of empirical work using the DS/C approach; third to discuss the clinical implications and results of clinical interventions motivated by DS/C analysis for children with cerebral palsy, and individuals with Parkinson disease.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Sistemas de classificação (Nagi e Classificação International de Funcionalidade (CIF)) têm se tornado populares para categorização do nível de habilidade (CIF) ou de incapacidade (Nagi) associado com distúrbios do movimento. No entanto, essas classificações não exploram as formas pelas quais um nível pode influenciar outros níveis; por exemplo, como a fraqueza e a rigidez observadas em alguns casos de paralisia cerebral podem resultar no padrão estereotipado de marcha equina. Neste artigo, descreve-se uma abordagem denominada sistemas dinâmicos/restrições (DS/C) para compreender as relações entre níveis e como ela pode ser utilizada para racionalizar um novo processo que norteie a avaliação e a intervenção de distúrbios do movimento. OBJETIVOS: Este artigo tem três objetivos específicos: apresentar uma abordagem geral sistêmica para compreender o comportamento em diferentes níveis de análise; apresentar ferramentas e resultados de estudos empíricos que utilizaram a abordagem DS/C e, por fim, discutir as implicações clínicas e os resultados de intervenções motivadas pela análise DS/C voltadas para crianças com paralisia cerebral e indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson.