OBJECTIVE: To find out if burst-modulated medium frequency alternating currents (Russian and Aussie types) contribute to the effects of isokinetic-training in patients with patellofemoral pain, and to compare their effectiveness on symptoms, pain, functional mobility, and quality of life. DESIGN: Forty-five patients with patellofemoral pain were randomized into Russian current, Aussie current or placebo electrical stimulation groups. Patellofemoral Pain Severity Scale, Stair Climbing Test, Anterior Knee Pain Scale, Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale, and Short Form-36 data were obtained before and after 15 sessions of interventions and at the end of a 3-wk follow-up period. RESULTS: Severity of symptoms and pain decreased; functional mobility, activity limitations and quality of life improved significantly after interventions (p < 0.05), and these effects were maintained at the follow-up period (p < 0.05). The amount of improvements in symptom and pain severity, and quality of life was higher in the Russian and Aussie current groups than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with patellofemoral pain, burst-modulated medium frequency alternating currents may provide extra benefit in improving symptoms, pain, functional mobility and quality of life, and the Aussie currents provide greater improvement in symptom and pain severity.

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