EFFECT OF CORE STABILITY EXERCISE ON FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME (PFPS): A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background/Rationale: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by anterior knee pain, particularly among young adults and athletes. Altered lower-limb biomechanics and deficits in proximal hip and trunk control may contribute to PFPS. Core stability exercises (CSE) aim to improve trunk and pelvic muscle strength, endurance, and neuromuscular control, potentially improving lower-limb biomechanics. Objective: This literature review aimed to evaluate the evidence regarding the effectiveness of core stability exercises combined with conventional physiotherapy in the management of PFPS. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library for English-language studies published within the previous 10 years. The initial search identified 312 articles. After title and abstract screening, 43 articles underwent full-text assessment, and 9 studies met the final eligibility criteria. Studies involving individuals aged 18–50 years, including randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and systematic reviews, were included. Studies involving participants outside this age range, recent lower-limb surgery, severe comorbidities, or failure to meet the selection criteria were excluded. Results: The included studies indicated that proximal strengthening involving the hip and core can effectively improve pain and function in individuals with PFPS. Several studies demonstrated that hip/core strengthening was comparable or beneficial when compared with knee-focused rehabilitation. Recent reviews also suggested that combined hip, knee, and core programs may provide greater improvements in pain and function. Conclusion: Core stability exercises, particularly when integrated with proximal and knee strengthening, appear beneficial for PFPS rehabilitation. However, further high-quality RCTs with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are needed. Keywords: Core stability exercises, Patellofemoral pain, core weakness, lower limb mechanics.