Effectiveness of Patient Education on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the routine physiotherapy program and the education program given to individuals diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) on pain, daily life activities, kinesiophobia, quality of life and functional status. Material and Methods: The study included 68 patients who were diagnosed with PFPS. The participants included in the study were randomly divided into 2 groups as control (routine physiotherapy and rehabilitation) and study (routine physiotherapy and rehabilitation+ patient education). Visual analogue scale, Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living, Tampa, EQ-5D-5L, Kujala scales were filled by the participants before and after treatment and at the 6th week. Results: Comparing preand post treatment values, significant improvements were found in pain, functionality, activities of daily living and quality of life of both groups (p<0.05). However, at the end of the 6th week, it was determined that the study group had significantly better values than the control group in all parameters (p<0.05). Conclusion: In addition to other routine physiotherapy program in PFPS, patient education was found to be more effective in reducing the pain and kinesiophobia of the patient, increasing daily life activities, functional status and quality of life at 6 weeks follow-up than the routine physiotherapy program. Therefore, it should be remembered that physical activity regulation, life style changes, in short, patient education is the main component of rehabilitation in PFPS. However, with the patient education, we think that the patient will be able to manage himself and hence health expenses can be reduced.