THE EFFECT OF STRETCHING THE ILIOTIBIAL BAND IN SUBJECTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME. Briana Alexander1; Shelly Weise*1; John Hubbard2 1. Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX; 2. Blinn College, Bryan, TX PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a treatment program that focused on iliotibial (ITB) lengthening and relaxation in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). BACKGROUNDS/SIGNIFICANCE: PFPS is a common condition among young adults. The etiology is unknown, but research has shown that there is an excessive amount of internal rotation (IR) of the femur in these individuals. The tensor fascia latae (TFL) muscle, as well as the iliotibial band may be involved since they together produce IR of the femur. Because the fiber arrangement of the TFL is opposite that of the ITB, it is possible to assume that if the ITB is tight and the TFL contracts, it has a tendency to simultaneously pull the femur into IR and the patella laterally. SUBJECTS: A sample of 22 college students (23 ± 4.65 yrs) with PFPS were utilized in this study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Treatments were two times per week for six weeks. Each treatment consisted of stretching of the TFL and ITB in the Ober’s testing position for a continuous 11 minutes. During the 11 minute stretch, ultrasound (3MHz, 1.0W/cm2) was applied to the ITB for 6 minutes followed by an ITB deep transverse friction massage for 5 minutes. ANALYSES: A pre-test/post-test design (paired samples t test) was used to compare the before and after ITB range of motion (ROM) and pain level. RESULTS: Initially, ITB ROM averaged 19.36o±6.55o, while after the intervention ITB ROM averaged 30.95o±4.98o, representing a 37.45% increase, (t = -8.181, p = 0.000). Pain score values were normalized across the sample to equalize inter-subject variation. Using the normalized data, the subjects demonstrated a 59.94% decrease in pain (Initial = 29.33±13.73%, Post = 11.75±11.85%; t = 7.888, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The subject’s ROM increased and the pain decreased after receiving ultrasound, massage, and passive stretching to the ITB for 12 treatments. The results of this study suggest that treatments designed to lengthen the ITB will reduce pain associated with PFPS. FUNDING SOURCE: This investigation was supported by the Carr Research Scholarship Fund, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas. The authors do not have potential for any material gain as a result of this study. KEYWORDS: knee pain, chronic pain Copyright 2009 by the American Physical Therapy Association. Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Educators, students, and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy (ISSN 1538-6724) by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Other types of customers who want permission to reprint should contact the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.