The efficacy of a tart cherry drink for the treatment of patellofemoral pain in recreationally active individuals; a placebo randomized control trial

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the efficacy of U.S. Montmorency tart cherry in treating recreationally active individuals with patellofemoral pain.
METHODS: Twenty-four recreationally active participants with patellofemoral pain were randomly separated into either placebo () or Montmorency tart cherry () groups. Both groups ingested 60 ml of either Montmorency tart cherry concentrate or taste matched placebo daily for 6-weeks. Measures of self-reported pain (KOOS PF), psychological wellbeing (COOP WONCA) and sleep quality (PSQI) alongside blood biomarkers (C-reactive protein, uric acid, TNF alpha, creatinine and total antioxidant capacity) and knee biomechanics were quantified at baseline and 6-weeks. Differences between groups were examined using linear mixed effects models.
RESULTS: There was 1 withdrawal in the cherry group and 0 in the placebo group and no adverse events were noted in either group. The placebo group exhibited significant improvements (baseline = 67.90±16.18 & 6-weeks = 78.04±14.83) in KOOS PF scores compared to the tart cherry group (baseline = 67.28±12.55& 6-weeks = 67.55±20.61). No other statistically significant observations were observed.
CONCLUSION: Tart cherry supplementation as specifically ingested in the current investigation, does not appear to be effective in mediating improvements in patellofemoral pain symptoms in recreationally active individuals.