The relative effectiveness of combined "action potential therapy" and patella mobilization versus combined placebo "action potential therapy" and patella mobilization in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of combined Action Potential Therapy (APT) and patella mobilization versus combined patella mobilization and placebo Action Potential Therapy in the treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. The study was a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled study. The study involved 60 subjects, 30 in each group which were selected from the general population. Group one received patella mobilization and APT while group two received patella mobilization and placebo APT. Patients received four treatments over a period of two weeks. The first treatment consisted of patella mobilization and APT (group one) or patella mobilization and placebo APT (group two), treatment 2,3 and 4 consisted of APT (group one) or placebo A,PT (group two). Subjective assessment was by means of the short form Me Gill pain Questionnaire, Numerical Pain Rating Scale - 101 Questionnaire and the Patient Specific Functional Scale. Objective assessment of tenderness was by means of an algometer. Assessments were taken on the first, second and fifth consultations for all subjective and objective measures. Statistical analysis was completed under the supervision of Dr Myburgh at Technikon Natal, at a 95% confidence interval. The parametric two-sample paired t-test and the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to analyze data within each group, while the parametric