2018 Consensus statement on exercise therapy and physical interventions (orthoses, taping and manual therapy) to treat patellofemoral pain: recommendations from the 5th International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat, Gold Coast, Australia, 2017.

Authors: Natalie J Collins, Christian J Barton, Marienke van Middelkoop, Michael J Callaghan, Michael Skovdal Rathleff, Bill T Vicenzino et al.Journal: British journal of sports medicinePublished: September 10, 2018DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099397

Q1 JournalSJR: 3.834h-index: 145SCImago

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial

Knee Pain / Osteoarthritis

In Plain Language: knee pain, explained

The study focused on patellofemoral pain, which affects a wide range of individuals. Researchers found that exercise therapy, particularly a combination of hip-focused and knee-focused exercises, is effective in improving pain and function related to this condition. This is significant as it offers a non-invasive treatment option for those suffering from knee pain.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about knee pain

✓Exercise therapy is effective for patellofemoral pain.
✓Combination of hip-focused and knee-focused exercises yields better outcomes.
✓Patellofemoral mobilizations and electrophysical agents are not recommended.

What This Means for You

For someone considering reflexology treatment for patellofemoral pain, this study indicates that exercise therapies are recommended and may provide the best results in alleviating pain and improving functionality.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology practitioners can incorporate the findings by suggesting clients engage in targeted exercise therapies, especially those focusing on the hip and knee, to complement reflexology treatments for knee pain.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Blinding

open label

Control

none

Duration

unknown

Limitations: what it cannot tell you about knee pain

The study does not provide specific participant numbers or detailed methodologies, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

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Knee pain: common questions

What does this study say about knee pain?

What did this study find?

Exercise therapy is effective for patellofemoral pain. Combination of hip-focused and knee-focused exercises yields better outcomes. Patellofemoral mobilizations and electrophysical agents are not recommended.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It was published in British journal of sports medicine, a Q1 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.