Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee disorder that
primarily affects adolescents and young adults. It adversely affects both static and
dynamic balance. Balance control relies on the integration of sensory, motor and
cognitive functions. Performing a dual task (DT) simultaneously increases mental
workload, revealing how attentional demands affect postural stability in both healthy
individuals and patients. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the mental workload
during DT in PFPS patients compared to normal individuals. Also, to identify which
domains of the mental workload are the most distressing in groups during DT
according to NASA-TLX. Methods: Thirty subjects of both genders, aged between
18 and 35, were chosen and allocated to two groups: group A (15 normal) and group
B (15 PFPS). Both groups performed a DT in the form of dynamic balance on the
Biodex balance system and cognitive task in the form of serial subtraction of 7. After
the completion of the task, the workload was assessed using the NASA-TLX
questionnaire for both groups. Results: ANOVA testing for between-group
comparisons revealed a significant difference for Physical demand (p = 0.017), Effort
(p = 0.013), and overall NASA score (p |
