Combined mode-kinetic chain exercise with and without core stability exercises on patients with knee osteoarthritis

Among adult population, the osteoarthritis (OA) of knee is the major issue that can lead to pain, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life. Exercise therapy is a core component of management, yet the added value of core stability training in conjunction with kinetic chain exercises remains underexplored. To determine the effects of combined mode kinetic chain exercise with and without core stability training on pain, range of motion and quality of life in patients with knee OA. A total of 48 patients with osteoarthritis in their knees were the subjects of a randomized controlled experiment at PSRD Hospital in Lahore were randomly allocated to either Group B (kinetic chain exercise only) or Group A (kinetic chain exercise with core stability training) with 24 participants each. For 12 weeks, interventions were carried out three times a week. Quality of life (KOOS), knee range of motion (goniometry), and pain (NPRS) were evaluated at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks. Group A and B both groups showed significant improvements in NPRS, ROM, and KOOS scores over time (p < 0.05). At 12 weeks, Group A demonstrated a greater reduction in pain compared to Group B (p = 0.002). Flexion ROM improved by 19.6° ± 3.2° in Group A versus 12.4° ± 2.9° in Group B (p < 0.001). KOOS total score increased by 34.8 ± 5.6 in Group A and 25.7 ± 5.1 in Group B (p < 0.001). Incorporating core stability exercises into a kinetic chain exercise program yields superior improvements in pain reduction, knee range of motion and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis patients compared to kinetic chain exercises alone. The study was registered at Clinical trial.gov and was submitted on 2024–04-18. Trial Registry number was NCT06377813.