Study Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Research Question: Does adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program have an effect on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with PFPS?
Detailed Description: Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the effect of adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). The findings of this study may provide a more effective rehabilitation program for female patients with PFPS, support the use of validated outcome measures in clinical practice, and improve symptom management during activities of daily living and functional recovery within a shorter period of time. This combined approach may be more efficient than the conventional hip- and knee-focused exercise program alone. Systematic assessment and monitoring of patient outcomes are recommended to guide clinical decision-making. Study Delimitations: This study will be delimited to: Female patients clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Thirty-six participants aged 19-35 years with body mass index (BMI) up to 25 kg/m². Assessment procedures including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for knee pain, dynamic knee valgus (DKV) measured using Kinovea software, and the Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) for knee function. Treatment procedures: Group A (control group): hip- and knee-focused exercise program. Group B (study group): hip- and knee-focused exercise program in addition to core muscle stability exercises.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
36
core muscle training exercises, including the front plank, side plank, and dead bug exercises
Open kinetic chain exercises including side-lying hip abduction, hip external rotation (clamshell), prone hip extension, short arc quadriceps, and straight leg raises (Khayambashi et al., 2012) ( Dolak et al., 2011). 1. Closed kinetic chain exercises including mini wall squats and terminal knee extensions (Hott et al., 2020). 2. Flexibility exercises targeting tight lower extremity soft tissues, including a seated hamstring stretch, standing quadriceps stretch, and standing wall stretch for the gastrocnemius
Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy
Giza, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Pain Intensity During Motion
Pain intensity during movement will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Knee Function
Knee function will be assessed using the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS). The KOS score ranges from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better knee function.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Pain Intensity at Rest
Pain intensity at rest will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Dynamic Knee Valgus (DKV)
Dynamic knee valgus will be assessed by measuring the knee valgus angle in degrees during functional tasks. Higher values indicate greater valgus deviation and poorer knee alignment.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
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