Effect of Proximal Stabilization on Recruitment of the Core & Vasti in Patients with Patellofemoral Arthritis as They Descend Stairs: A Randomized Controlled Trial 

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background:</bold> ‘‘The well-trained core is essential for optimal performance and injury prevention.’’ Despite the recurrence with which this statement is used in exercise science literature, the evidence to support it is lacking, contradictory, or taken out of context. This quadruple-blinded, randomised controlled trial examined the impact of proximal stabilization training program on kinesiophobia, and the recruitment of the core and vasti during stair descent in isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PF OA). <bold>Methods:</bold> Fifty females with PF OA were enlisted, and two groups, group A (n=25) and group B (n=25), were randomly assigned. Both groups of patients underwent standard physical therapy procedures, but group (B) also underwent additional proximal stabilization exercises. Prior to and after therapy, all patients had their kinesiophobia, and recruitment techniques assessed. During stair descent, quantitative electromyography was used to quantify the muscle recruitment methods (onset and duration) of the vastus medialis obliques (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), transversus abdominus (TrA), gluteus Medius (GM), and multifidus. <bold>Results:</bold> Among all tested dependent variables in this study, results were positive for kinesiophobia and Gluteus Medius onset in the proximal stabilization group post treatment compared to the pre-treatment state but comparing the tested variables between both groups revealed only positive findings for kinisiophobia in favor of the proximal stabilization group. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> adding proximal stabilization exercises to hip and quadriceps strengthening exercises might have a surplus effect in the management of isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis, yet its long-term effect should be tested through future studies. <bold>Trial registration: </bold>clinical trial registration code: NCT05597670