Comparison of Functional Outcomes between Supervised Rehabilitation and Telerehabilitation in Female Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, and therapeutic exercises are recommended. During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite recommendations on the importance of telerehabilitation, insufficient studies have investigated functional outcomes between supervised rehabilitation and telerehabilitation in patients with PFPS. This study aimed to compare the muscle strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes between supervised rehabilitation and telerehabilitation in female patients with PFPS. A total of 61 patients (supervised, n = 30; telerehabilitation, n = 31) participated. Muscle strength and activation time of the quadriceps and hamstrings were measured using an isokinetic device. Hip muscle strength was evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer. Patient-reported outcomes were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) for functional ability, and Tampa scale for kinesiophobia (TSK-11). No significant differences were found in muscle strength, muscle activation time, or patient-reported outcomes of the involved knees between the two groups (p > 0.05). In addition, the rate of change in all parameters did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). Telerehabilitation, such as a home-exercise program supervised by physical therapists, may be as effective as supervised rehabilitation in improving functional outcomes in female patients with PFPS.

Effectiveness of Tele-Prescription of Therapeutic Physical Exercise in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The health crisis caused by COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the provision of physiotherapists' services during the pandemic. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a major health problem and one of the most common causes of pain in the front of the knee in outpatients. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic physical exercise (TPE) program supervised by a physiotherapist using telematic channels in reducing pain and disability in a sample of 54 patients with PFPS in the Physiotherapy Service of the San José de la Rinconada Health Center (Seville). Subjects were evaluated pre- and post-intervention (4 weeks-12 treatment sessions). An analysis was made of perceived pain-using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the DN4 neuropathic pain questionnaire-and functional balance-through the Kujala Score test and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. The supervised TPE program in patients with PFPS produced a reduction in pain: VAS F1, 52 = 8.68 (p = 0.005) η2 = 0.14 and DN4: F1, 52 = 69.94 (p = 0.000) η2 = 0.57; and in Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) disability: F1, 52 = 19.1 (p = 0.000) η2 = 0.27 and KUJALA: F1, 52 = 60.28 (p = 0.000) η2 = 0.54, which was statistically significant (p = 0.000 for p < 0.05). Hence, the TPE program presented was effective in reducing pain and disability in patients with PFPS.