Interventions used by Brazilian physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain: A web-based survey.

BACKGROUND

No studies have evaluated whether interventions used by Brazilian physiotherapists for the treatment of patellofemoral pain (PFP) are in line with the best existing scientific evidence.

OBJECTIVES

Identify the interventions most commonly used by Brazilian physiotherapists for the rehabilitation of PFP and determine whether characteristics of physiotherapists and knowledge regarding evidence-based practice (EBP) influence the choice of interventions.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional web-based survey.

METHODS

Brazilian physiotherapists who treat patients with PFP participated in the study. Characteristics of the participants, information regarding EBP and interventions used in the treatment of PFP were collected through an online questionnaire. Descriptive analysis of the data was performed. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate associations between the interventions and both the characteristics of the physiotherapists and their knowledge regarding EBP.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-four physiotherapists completed the questionnaire, 97.4% of whom reported using combined hip and quadriceps strengthening exercises, whereas only 25.3% reported using foot orthoses. A significant number of physiotherapists also reported using interventions that are not recommended (such as patellar mobilization, lumbar, hip and knee mobilization/manipulation and biophysical agents). Physiotherapists with a master's or doctoral degree and those who were aware of clinical practice guidelines were respectively 2.57-fold and 3.81-fold more likely to use recommended interventions.

CONCLUSION

Most Brazilian physiotherapists choose interventions that are in line with current scientific evidence. However, a significant number also use interventions that are not recommended for the treatment of PFP.