Would integrating monochromatic infrared energy into the physical rehabilitation of adolescents with patellofemoral pain syndrome have any advantageous effects? A randomized controlled trial.
Saud M Alrawaili, Alshimaa R Azab, Ragab K Elnaggar and 7 others
PMID 40126424WHAT IT FOUND
Adding infrared therapy to exercise reduced pain more than exercise alone in adolescents with knee pain.
Pain scores dropped to a median of 2 out of 10 in the infrared group versus 4 in the control group after three months.
Key findings
01Adolescents receiving infrared therapy plus exercise had significantly lower pain scores (median 2) than those receiving exercise alone (median 4) after three months.
02The infrared group showed greater improvements in dynamic balance and functional status compared to the control group.
03Quality of life scores, including physical and psychosocial domains, improved more in the infrared group than in the control group.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was relatively small (46 participants). There was no long-term follow-up to determine if benefits persisted beyond three months. The study did not adjust for multiple comparisons across the various balance and quality of life sub-scores, increasing the risk of false-positive findings. Participants were limited to late adolescents (15–18 years), so results may not apply to younger children or adults.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume infrared therapy is a standalone treatment. It was effective only when added to a comprehensive physical therapy exercise programme, and the study did not compare it to a placebo light treatment, so some benefit may be due to the attention and care received.