Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between the amplitude of vastus medialis
(VM) Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) and pain level, self-reported physical function,
and chronicity of pain in women with patellofemoral pain (PFP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Laboratory of biomechanics and motor control.
PARTICIPANTS: Women diagnosed with PFP (N=15) aged 18 to 35 years. INTERVENTIONS:
Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on worst pain level during the
previous month, self-reported physical function, and symptom duration
(chronicity) were collected from the participants. Maximum evoked responses were
obtained by electrical stimulation applied to the femoral nerve and peak-to-peak
amplitudes of normalized maximal H-reflexes (maximal Hoffmann reflex/maximal
motor wave ratios) of the VM were calculated. A Pearson product-moment
correlation matrix (r) was used to explore the relations between the amplitude of
VM H-reflex and worst pain during the previous month, self-reported function, and
chronicity of pain. RESULTS: Strong negative correlations were found between the
amplitude of VM H-reflex and worst pain in the previous month (r=-.71; P=.003)
and chronicity (r=-.74; P=.001). A strong positive correlation was found between
the amplitude of VM H-reflex and self-reported physical function (r=.62; P=.012).
CONCLUSIONS: The strong and significant relations reported in this study suggest
that women with PFP showing greater VM H-reflex excitability tend to have lower
pain, better physical function, and more recent symptoms. Therefore,
rehabilitation strategies designed to increase the excitability of the
monosynaptic stretch reflex should be considered in the treatment of women with
PFP if their effectiveness is demonstrated in future studies.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS