ObjectiveTo explore the effect of selective exercise training technique combined with ultrasound therapy on patellofemoral pain syndrome. MethodsPatients who met the research criteria were assigned into treatment group and control group randomly between July 2011 and August 2012. Each group had 28 patients. There were no significant differences in gender, age and body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients in the treatment group received selective exercise therapy and ultrasound therapy, while patients in the control group received normal exercise treatment and ultrasound therapy. Knee numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and knee functional obstruction assessment were performed on all the patients before treatment and 5 days after treatment (on the 6th day) for comparison. ResultsBefore treatment, the score of NPRS in the treatment group and the control group was 4.7±0.8 and 4.8±0.9, respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The score of functional obstruction assessment was 11.2±2.2 and 12.2±2.7 in the two groups without significant difference (P>0.05). Five days after treatment, the NPRS score decreased to 2.1±0.5 in the treatment group and 4.2±1.0 in the control group, and the knee functional obstruction assessment score decreased to 6.4±1.9 and 11.1±2.6, respectively. Both groups improved significantly in NPRS score and knee functional obstruction assessment score (P＜0.05), while the treatment group exhibited more improvement in the two scores than the control group (P＜0.05). ConclusionSelective exercise training is effective for improving the pain and function of patients with patellofemoral syndrome.