Core Strengthening Improves Pain in Women with Patellofemoral Pain: a Feasibility Interventional Trial

Background. Patellofemoral pain remains one of the major musculoskeletal disorders found in orthopedic and sports clinics. Despite the evidence of improvement in indi­viduals undergoing hip and knee strengthening protocols, there are no studies that investigated the influence of a protocol with a single focus on the core muscle strength­ening in the treatment of this condition. This study aimed to assess individuals with patellofemoral pain undergoing a core muscle strengthening treatment to determine any disparities in muscle activation, pain levels, and functionality after 12 weeks of intervention. Materials and methods. Before and after 12 weeks of intervention, the volunteers were assessed for functionality; Electromyographic evaluation of the muscles: transverse abdominis/internal oblique, gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis of the quadriceps. Results. There was an increase in the resistance of core muscles (p < 0.00), a decrease in the pain levels during functional activities (p < 0.00). squatting (p < 0.00). descend­ing stairs (p = 0.03) on the VAS (p = 0.01) and patellofemoral pain in the last 30 days (p < 0.00) and also a reduction in the presence of positive clinical signs of PFP (p < 0.00). Conclusions. The study showed that a 12-week core strengthening protocol is effec­tive for improving functionality, muscle activation and reducing pain in women with patellofemoral pain.