Effect of photobiomodulation in the patellofemoral pain syndrome; randomized clinical trial in young women

Abstract

Objective: patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders in the knee joint, affecting mainly physically active adolescents and young adults; its main symptom is pain. Physiotherapy has several therapeutic modalities aimed at pain relief, among which are photobiomodulation (PBM). The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of using PBM in cluster form (Laser + LED) in patients with PFPS.

Patients and methods: This study is characterized as quantitative, experimental, randomized, composed of 30 women with PFPS, randomized into two groups: Control Group (CG) and PBM Group (PBMG). Both groups underwent three evaluations: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and after one month of follow-up. Participants of the PBMG were presented to the application of the cluster device, three times a week, for four weeks. The intensity of spontaneous pain and movement were evaluated, knee function tests and function questionnaires. The results showed a reduction in pain only for the landing of the jump. As for the other variables there was no interaction of factors; the questionnaires used showed larger effect sizes for PBMG when compared to CG. It is possible to conclude that the use of PBM showed benefit in reducing pain at the time of landing of the jump and functional assessment questionnaires.

Keywords: Analgesia; Low-level laser therapy; Patellofemoral pain syndrome; Phototherapy.