Closed-eye Wobble Board Mini-squat versus Closed-eye Tilt Board Mini-squat for Knee Joint Proprioception in Participants with Unilateral Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is characterised by pain behind or around the patella that is made worse by activities that compress or load the patellofemoral joint, such as jogging, jumping, crouching, and climbing and descending. As PFPS is a common musculoskeletal issue that impacts functional mobility, early assessment and targeted rehabilitation, aligned with the sustainable development goal of promoting good health and well-being, play an essential role in enhancing function and injury prevention. Aim: To compare the effects of closed-eye wobble board minisquat versus closed-eye tilt board mini-squat on knee joint proprioception in participants with unilateral PFPS. Materials and Methods: This single-blind, Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted in the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from November 2025 to December 2025. After baseline assessment, the 60 eligible participants were randomly allocated into two intervention groups (Group A and Group B) in a 1:1 ratio. Closed-eye wobble board minisquat was given to group A (n=30), and closed-eye tilt board mini-squat was given to group B (n=30). Both groups performed closed-eye mini-squat proprioceptive training for four weeks. Knee joint proprioception was assessed using the Joint Position Sense (JPS) test, and pain intensity was assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 27.0. Paired t-tests and independent t-tests were used to compare within and between the two groups. Result: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in JPS and NPRS after four weeks of training (p<0.0001). The Joint Position Error (JPE) decreased from 6.95±0.37° to 3.40±0.24° in group A and from 6.72±0.25° to 5.45±0.13° in group B. The mean change in JPS was significantly greater in group A than in group B (3.55±0.58° vs 1.26±0.31°; p<0.0001). NPRS decreased from 6.30±0.68 to 2.12±0.38 in group A and from 6.16±0.62 to 3.37±0.32 in group B. A highly statistically significant difference was observed between the groups (p<0.0001) at post-test, indicating greater improvement in the wobble board group compared with the tilt board group. Conclusion: Closed-eye wobble board mini-squat training was more effective than tilt board mini-squat training in improving knee joint proprioception and pain among individuals with PFPS. Incorporating wobble board-based proprioceptive exercises may provide enhanced neuromuscular benefits in PFPS rehabilitation.