Effect of Cryotherapy added to traditional physiotherapy on pain,function,and kinematic gait parameters in persistent patellofemoral pain syndrome;a randomized controlled trial

Anwer, Makarious Adel; Mohamed, Rania R; Mohamed, Aya Mohamed

doi:10.21608/ijtau.2025.423046.1036

Effect of Cryotherapy added to traditional physiotherapy on pain,function,and kinematic gait parameters in persistent patellofemoral pain syndrome;a randomized controlled trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Basic science Physical Therapy, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/ijtau.2025.423046.1036

Abstract

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is a prevalent orthopedic disorder, especially among young adults and athletes. It presents with anterior knee pain that is aggravated by activities.
This study was done to examine the impact of cryotherapy on pain intensity, knee function, along with kinematic gait parameters in patients suffering from PFPS.
60 individuals with a diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome (both genders, aged 18–40 years, BMI 20–25 kg/m²) were randomized into two equivalent groups. Group A (control) was given traditional physical therapy, while Group B (study) was given the same treatment combined with cryotherapy. The intervention was done three times weekly for four weeks. The primary outcomes were kinematic gait parameters (step length, walking speed, step cycle, and step length coefficient of variation) measured via Biodex Gait Trainer. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity and knee function .
According to Mixed MANOVA which was used for statistical analysis, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all parameters after treatment, according to this study (p < 0.001). However, Group B revealed significantly greater improvements in step length (43.86% vs. 38.78%), walking speed (62.75% vs. 52.00%), step cycle (31.82% vs. 22.39%), and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (78.19% vs. 56.01%). A significantly greater reduction in step length coefficient of variation was observed in Group B (86.12% vs. 78.79), Visual Analogue Scale scores (58.55% vs. 49.81%).
Cryotherapy, when combined with traditional physical therapy, offers superior improvements in pain relief, knee function, and kinematic gait parameters in patients with chronic Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome compared to traditional therapy alone.

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