Deep Friction Massage in the Management of Patellar Tendinopathy in Athletes: Short-Term Clinical Outcomes.

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 (F_1,9 = 52.364; P < .001; η_p² = .853) and among sessions (F_3,27 = 82.588; P < .001; η_p² = .902), with a significant interaction for group x time (F_3,27 = 19.841; P < .001; η_p² = .688). The knee extensors strength did not change significantly over time (F_1,9 = 2.240; P = .17; η_p² = .199), nor a significant interaction for session x time was observed (F_3,27 = 3.276; P = 07; η_p² = .267). Regardless of the pressure applied, the time to onset of analgesia was not significantly different (F_2,18 = 1.026; P > .05; = η_p²). 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]