Impairment-Based Rehabilitation With Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation and Lower Extremity Function in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain: A Preliminary Study

Context Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a chronic condition that presents with lower extremity muscle weakness, decreased flexibility, subjective functional limitations, pain, and decreased physical activity. Patterned electrical neuromuscular stimulation (PENS) has been shown to affect muscle activation and pain after a single treatment, but its use has not been studied in a rehabilitation trial. Objective To determine the effects of a 4-week impairment-based rehabilitation program using PENS on subjective function, pain, strength, range of motion, and physical activity in individuals with PFP. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A total of 21 patients with PFP (5 males, 16 females; age = 23.4 ± 7.6 years, height = 168.0 ± 7.5 cm, mass = 69.0 ± 19.5 kg). Intervention(s) Participants completed a 4-week supervised rehabilitation program in conjunction with random assignment to receive PENS or sham treatments. Main Outcome Measure(s) Subjective function, pain,...