Trial of Neurostimulation and Blood Flow Restriction for PFPS in Active Duty

The overall objective of this project is to compare two self-managed treatment regimens for PFPS: (1) NMES-Exercise supplemented with high BFR LOP of 80% and (2) NMES Exercise augmented with a low percentage of BFR LOP at 20 mmHG (BFR-sham). Each of the two treatment arms will perform a fixed exercise protocol singularly and in combination with BFR-NMES, and NMES alone. The specific aims of the study are 1) To determine whether self-managed NMES-Exercise program supplemented with a high BFR of 80% LOP (limb occlusion pressure) is significantly more efficacious than NMES-Exercise with low BFR LOP set at 20 mmHG (sham) in improving muscle strength of the lower extremity, daily physical activity and mobility; and 2) To determine whether NMES-Exercise with high LOP BFR therapy improves QOL and PFPS symptoms significantly more than NMES-Exercise with low LOP BFR.