Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) primarily affects females, characterized by intermittent episodes exacerbated during functional activities, particularly eccentric actions like jumping. Its etiology remains incompletely understood, but biomechanical alterations in the lower limbs, neuromuscular control deficits, and psychosocial influences such as kinesiophobia and hyperalgesia may contribute to symptom onset or intensification. Understanding factors beyond biomechanical aspects, including psychosocial characteristics of individuals with PFPS, could optimize physiotherapy assessment and intervention strategies.

To compare aspects related to pain perception, self-efficacy, emotional states, and functional performance in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome.

This study is a cross-sectional study in which one hundred women aged 18 to 30 years, with and without anterior knee pain, were evaluated. Participants were divided into two groups: the patellofemoral pain syndrome group (n = 50) and the asymptomatic control group (n = 50). All participants completed standardized questionnaires, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ-10). Functional clinical testing was performed using the Vertical Jump test. Mann-Whitney test was used for intergroup comparisons of patient perception and functional test variables due to non-normality (Shapiro-Wilk test), with a significance level of 5%.

The PFPS group exhibited higher pain intensity (VAS: 4.0 [4.17; 5.1]) compared to the Control group (p = 0.001). Positive affect was 15% lower in the PFPS group (29.0 [26.2; 29.8]) compared to the Control group (34.0 [32.3; 35.9]), while negative affect was 35% higher (23.0 [20.8; 25.2]) vs. Control group (15.0 [14.5; 17.1]; p = 0.001). Pain self-efficacy was 23% lower in the PFPS group (46.0 [42.0; 47.9]) compared to the Control group (60.0 [59.5; 60.1]; p = 0.001). Functional performance (Vertical Jump test) was 28% lower in the PFPS group (17.4 cm [16.7; 19.0]) compared to the Control group (24.24 cm [23.9; 26.8]; p = 0.001).

Women with PFPS demonstrate higher negative emotions and lower positive emotions, as well as reduced pain self-efficacy, compared to women without PFPS. Additionally, women with PFPS exhibited poorer performance on the vertical jump test.

This study suggests that patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome exhibit more pessimistic cognitions, lower pain self-efficacy, and impaired functional performance compared to women without PFPS. These findings underscore the importance of considering emotional and psychosocial factors in the assessment and understanding of PFPS.