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CONTEXT Protonics™ Knee brace has been suggested as an intervention for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). However, the effectiveness of this knee brace compared to traditional conservative methods knee rehabilitation is lacking. OBJECTIVE The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effect of Protonics™ knee brace vs. sport cord on knee pain and function in patients with PFPS. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Loma Linda University. PARTICIPANTS Forty-one subjects with patellofemoral pain with a mean age of 28.8±5.0 years and body mass index of 25.6±4.7 kg/m2 participated in the study. INTERVENTION Subjects were randomized to one of two treatment groups, the Protonics™ knee brace (n=21) or the sport cord (n=20) to complete a series of resistance exercises over the course of 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Both groups were evaluated according to the following clinical outcomes: Anterior pelvic tilt (APT), hip internal/external rotation, and iliotibial band flexibility. The following functional outcomes were also assessed: Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale, the Kujala score, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the lateral step-down test. RESULTS Both groups showed significant improvement in the outcome measures. However, the Protonics™ knee brace was more effective than the sport cord for the GROC scale over time (immediate 1.0±2.1 versus post 2 weeks 3.0±.2.2 versus 4 weeks 4.6 ±2.3 in the Protonics™ Brace compared to 0.0±2.1 versus 1.3±2.2 versus 3.0±2.3 in the Sport cord, p<0.01), suggesting greater satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Both study groups had significant improvements in the clinical and functional symptoms of patellofemoral pain. The Protonics™ knee brace group was significantly more satisfied with their outcome. However, the sport cord may be a more feasible and cost-effective method that yields similar results in patients with PFPS. KEY WORDS Patellofemoral pain syndrome, knee pain, Protonics, Exercise, Bracing, sport cord.