Education Platform Affects Beliefs on Patellofemoral Pain Treatment

Strategic Insights -

A new study evaluated the effects of self-directed access to a web-based education platform on the beliefs of people with patellofemoral pain (PFP) regarding their condition's development and persistence, and treatment options. The research, conducted by La Trobe University, involved 58 participants who completed custom questionnaires before and after accessing the 'My Knee Cap' web-based education platform. The findings revealed that after 6 weeks, participants' beliefs about the effectiveness of certain treatments, such as exercise, injections, and ultrasound, changed significantly. Specifically, the percentage of participants who believed exercise was effective increased by 16%, while the percentage who believed injections and ultrasound were effective decreased by 13% and 15%, respectively. Additionally, most participants (93%-95%) believed exercise was more effective than surgery, and 46%-59% were willing to undergo surgery if imaging revealed abnormalities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the effects of self-directed access to a web-based education platform on the beliefs of 58 people with patellofemoral pain (PFP) regarding their condition's development and persistence, and treatment options.
  • The 'My Knee Cap' web-based education platform has the potential to promote the benefits of exercise and reduce beliefs that injection and ultrasound are helpful.
  • The study found that after 6 weeks, participants' beliefs about the effectiveness of certain treatments, such as exercise, injections, and ultrasound, changed significantly.
  • Specifically, the percentage of participants who believed exercise was effective increased by 16%, while the percentage who believed injections and ultrasound were effective decreased by 13% and 15%, respectively.
  • Most participants (93%-95%) believed exercise was more effective than surgery, and 46%-59% were willing to undergo surgery if imaging revealed abnormalities.
  • The study suggested that self-directed web-based education may effectively change people's beliefs about the causes and persistence of PFP and about the effectiveness of various treatments.
  • The research was conducted by La Trobe University's Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, led by Danilo De Oliveira Silva.

Statistics:

  • 58 people with PFP completed custom questionnaires before and 6 weeks after accessing the 'My Knee Cap' web-based education platform.
  • The study found that the percentage of participants who believed exercise was effective increased by 16%.
  • The percentage of participants who believed injections were effective decreased by 13%.
  • The percentage of participants who believed ultrasound was effective decreased by 15%.
  • Most participants (93%-95%) believed exercise was more effective than surgery.
  • 46%-59% of participants were willing to undergo surgery if imaging revealed abnormalities.

Sources:

  • Beliefs of People With Patellofemoral Pain About Their Condition and Treatments Before and After Self-Directed Access to a Web-Based Education Platform. Musculoskeletal Care, 2025;23(3). (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Musculoskeletal Care - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1557-0681)
  • NewsRx. New Education Findings from La Trobe University Reported (Beliefs of People With Patellofemoral Pain About Their Condition and Treatments Before and After Self-Directed Access to a Web-Based Education Platform). Education Letter. August 13, 2025; p 295.