Two Weeks of Wearing a Knee Brace Compared With Minimal Intervention on Kinesiophobia at 2 and 6 Weeks in People With Patellofemoral Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of a knee brace compared with minimal intervention on self-reported kinesiophobia and function, objective function, and physical activity level in people with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Single-blind randomized controlled trial (1:1), parallel. Individuals with PFP (N=50). Primary: kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia). Secondary: self-reported function (Anterior Knee Pain Scale), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and objective function (forward step-down test). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T₀), at the end of the intervention (2wk) (T₁), and at 6 weeks after baseline (T₂). Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 interventions groups: (1) use of knee brace for 2 weeks during daily living, sports, or painful tasks (brace group) and (2) educational leaflet with information about PFP (leaflet group). The knee brace reduced kinesiophobia in people with PFP compared with minimal intervention with moderate effect size at T₁=mean difference (95% CI) -5.56 (-9.18 to -1.93) and T₂=-5.24 (-8.58 to -1.89). There was no significant difference in self-reported and objective function and physical activity level. The knee brace improved kinesiophobia immediately after intervention (at 2wk) and at 6-week follow-up in people with PFP compared with minimal intervention. A knee brace may be considered within clinically reasoned paradigms to facilitate exercise therapy interventions for people with PFP.