Deep Friction Massage in the Management of Patellar Tendinopathy in Athletes: Short-Term Clinical Outcomes.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether the immediate effects of deep friction massage (DFM) on pain and muscle strength in athletes with patellar tendinopathy depend on the pressure applied during treatment.
Results Summary
DFM significantly reduced pain intensity upon palpation regardless of the pressure applied, but did not significantly affect knee extensor strength or the time to onset of analgesia. The study noted caution due to the small sample size.
Population
Ten athletes (mean age 27.90 years) with unilateral patellar tendinopathy.
Effective Dosage
DFM applied at mean pressure and mean pressure ± 25% (individualized for each participant).
Duration
Four sessions, each separated by 48 hours.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deep friction massage (DFM) | decrease | pain intensity upon palpation | athletes with patellar tendinopathy | - | induces an immediate reduction | #1 |
Deep friction massage (DFM) | no change | knee extensors strength | athletes with patellar tendinopathy | - | did not change significantly | #2 |
Deep friction massage (DFM) | no change | time to onset of analgesia | athletes with patellar tendinopathy | - | was not significantly different | #3 |
CONTEXT: Deep friction massage (DFM) is often used in the treatment of tendinopathies; however, the pressure applied may vary and interfere with the obtained results. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the immediate effects of DFM on pain (pain intensity and time to onset of analgesia) and muscle strength are dependent on the pressure applied during the DFM application in athletes with patellar tendinopathy. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, cross-over trial. SETTING: University research laboratory (institutional). PARTICIPANTS: Ten athletes with diagnosis of unilateral patellar tendinopathy (age 27.90 [5.24] y). INTERVENTIONS: All participants attended 4 sessions, 3 treatment sessions with DFM applied with different pressures (the mean pressure-previously determined for each participant-and the mean pressure ± 25%) and a control session, each of which was separated by 48 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain (intensity upon palpation and time to onset of analgesia), and muscle strength of knee extensors were assessed before and immediately after each session. RESULTS: Pain intensity changed significantly over time (F1,9 = 52.364; P < .001; ηp2=.853) and among sessions (F3,27 = 82.588; P < .001; ηp2=.902), with a significant interaction for group × time (F3,27 = 19.841; P < .001; ηp2=.688). The knee extensors strength did not change significantly over time (F1,9 = 2.240; P = .17; ηp2=.199), nor a significant interaction for session × time was observed (F3,27 = 3.276; P = .07; ηp2=.267). Regardless of the pressure applied, the time to onset of analgesia was not significantly different (F2,18 = 1.026; P > .05; ηp2=.102). CONCLUSION: It was shown that DFM induces an immediate reduction in pain intensity upon palpation, regardless of the pressure performed. Notwithstanding, the reader should take into account the small sample size and the caution needed in the results' interpretation.