Disruption and restoration of motor control in musculoskeletal pathology: Implications for physiotherapy management

Funded Activity Summary

The way in which the nervous system controls muscles and movement may play a role in the development and progression of common musculoskeletal conditions. One of these conditions is patellofemoral pain syndrome which is associated with pain around the knee cap. This condition may result from an imbalance in the activity of the thigh muscles that control movement of the knee cap as the knee bends and straightens. This imbalance is due in part to problems with the control of the muscles by the nervous system. Our previous studies have shown that physiotherapy treatment aimed at restoration of the control of the knee muscles results in clinical improvement of the condition. The first part of this project will investigate possible reasons for this muscle imbalance including the effects of pain, swelling and muscle fatigue. Understanding the reasons for the imbalance in muscle activity will help direct and refine more appropriate treatment strategies for this and other musculoskeletal conditions. The second part will assess whether a specific physiotherapy muscle training program for the thigh muscles is more effective in correcting the muscle imbalance than a more generalised thigh strengthening exercise program. The results will help us to better understand why the condition occurs and how we can best assess and treat the problem.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2002

End Date: 01-01-2004

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $210,990.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Rehabilitation And Therapy: Occupational And Physical

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

clinical trial | joint disease | motor control | musculoskeletal disorder | musculoskeletal pain | physiotherapy

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