Psychologically-informed video reduces maladaptive beliefs in adolescents with patellofemoral pain

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that a brief psychologically-informed video can reduce maladaptive psychological beliefs in adolescents with patellofemoral pain. Design: Case series. Setting: Pediatric Outpatient Hospital. Participants: Twenty adolescents receiving physical therapy for patellofemoral pain (14 ± 1.7 years, 50% female), 3 participants were lost to follow-up at 2 weeks. Main outcome measures: None. Results: The baseline FABA-PA score was 12.0 ± 5, TSK-11 was 22.1 ± 4.0 and the PCS-c was 14.3 ± 8. Immediate reductions in FABQ-PA (mean difference = 4.52, 95% CI 1.99, 7.07; 32% reduction), TSK-11 (mean difference = 5.06, 95% CI 1.88, 8.24; 22% reduction) and PCS-c (mean difference = 3.65, 95% CI 0.62, 6.68; 26% reduction) were observed immediately post-video intervention (p < 0.01). At 2 weeks, these maladaptive beliefs remained lowered. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that incorporating a brief one-time psychologically-informed video into standard physical therapy care may significantly reduce maladaptive psychological beliefs in adolescents with patellofemoral pain.