Efficacy of a neuromuscular training in reducing pain intensity and the incidence of patellofemoral pain syndrome among dancers of Salvador

Abstract

Knee problems account for 14 to 36% of complaints among dancers and over 50% of these are patellofemoral problems. The goal of this experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of a neuromuscular training on reducing the pain intensity and on the incidence of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) in dancers in the city of Salvador. Thirty-four dancers divided in two groups (experimental and control) were monitored for pain intensity and incidence of PFPS at the beginning and at the end of a neuromuscular training program, which consisted of an 8-week program that included exercises to strengthen the muscular groups of the inferior extremity (emphasis on quadriceps muscle), and lengthening exercises for these same groups with emphasis on the iliotibial band. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the dancers in the experimental group and those in the control group regarding pain intensity after the intervention. Regarding the incidence variable, 41.2% of the dancers in the experimental group had no pain and only 11.76% of the dancers in the control group had no pain.. However, this result was not statistically significant. The result of this study suggests that an 8-week neuromuscular training intervention was efficacious for reduction of femoropatellar pain in dancers with these characteristics.