PainDKVNCT07531550
Core and Hip-Knee Exercises in PFPS
A study testing Core Muscle Stability Exercise Program and hip and knee-focused exercise program in people with Pain and DKV, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Study Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 35 weeks, women only
- What is being tested?
- Core Muscle Stability Exercise Program and hip and knee-focused exercise program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 1 May 2025to 1 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 to 35 weeks
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Thirty-six female participants diagnosed and referred with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) (retropatellar knee pain lasting more than 6 weeks).
- Age range between 19-35 years.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) up to 25 kg/m².
Who cannot join
- History of previous surgeries of the lower limb.
- Clinical evidence of knee joint complex disorders, including meniscus lesions, 3-patellar tendinopathy, chondral lesions, or knee osteoarthritis.
- 4-Presence of pronated foot.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy
Giza, Giza Governorate, 12613
About this study
Official title: EFFECT OF CORE STABILITY EXERCISES AND KNEE, HIP FOCUSED EXERSISES ON DYNAMIC KNEE VALGUS IN PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
Research Question:
Does adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program have an effect on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with PFPS?
Read the detailed description
Detailed Description:
Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the effect of adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
The findings of this study may provide a more effective rehabilitation program for female patients with PFPS, support the use of validated outcome measures in clinical practice, and improve symptom management during activities of daily living and functional recovery within a shorter period of time. This combined approach may be more efficient than the conventional hip- and knee-focused exercise program alone. Systematic assessment and monitoring of patient outcomes are recommended to guide clinical decision-making.
Study Delimitations:
This study will be delimited to:
Female patients clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Thirty-six participants aged 19-35 years with body mass index (BMI) up to 25 kg/m².
Assessment procedures including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for knee pain, dynamic knee valgus (DKV) measured using Kinovea software, and the Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) for knee function.
Treatment procedures:
Group A (control group): hip- and knee-focused exercise program. Group B (study group): hip- and knee-focused exercise program in addition to core muscle stability exercises.
- Being tested
- Core Muscle Stability Exercise Program, hip and knee-focused exercise program
- Keywords
- Dynamic knee valgus (DKV)
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Core Muscle Stability Exercise ProgramBehavioural
core muscle training exercises, including the front plank, side plank, and dead bug exercises
hip and knee-focused exercise programBehavioural
Open kinetic chain exercises including side-lying hip abduction, hip external rotation (clamshell), prone hip extension, short arc quadriceps, and straight leg raises (Khayambashi et al., 2012) ( Dolak et al., 2011).
- Closed kinetic chain exercises including mini wall squats and terminal knee extensions (Hott et al., 2020).
- Flexibility exercises targeting tight lower extremity soft tissues, including a seated hamstring stretch, standing quadriceps stretch, and standing wall stretch for the gastrocnemius
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| control group hip and knee focused exercises program | Active comparator | Open kinetic chain exercises including side-lying hip abduction, hip external rotation (clamshell), prone hip extension, short arc quadriceps, and straight leg raises
1. Closed kinetic chain exercises including mini wall squats and terminal knee extensions
2. Flexibility exercises targeting tight lower extremity soft tissues, including a seated hamstring stretch, standing quadriceps stretch, and standing wall stretch for the gastrocnemius Receives: Behavioral: hip and knee-focused exercise program |
| Study group hip and knee focused exercises program in addition to core muscle training exercises | Experimental | participants who will received the same exercise program as control group, in addition to core muscle training exercises, including the front plank, side plank, and dead bug exercises Receives: Behavioral: Core Muscle Stability Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity During Motion
Pain intensity during movement will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Knee Function
Knee function will be assessed using the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS). The KOS score ranges from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better knee function.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Pain Intensity at Rest
Pain intensity at rest will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Dynamic Knee Valgus (DKV)
Dynamic knee valgus will be assessed by measuring the knee valgus angle in degrees during functional tasks. Higher values indicate greater valgus deviation and poorer knee alignment.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Apr 2026
- Study start1 May 2025
- Primary completion1 Feb 2026
- Study completion1 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study uses a parallel assignment interventional model in which participants are allocated into two groups. The intervention group receives a core muscle stability exercise program, while the control group receives conventional physiotherapy. Both groups are treated concurrently throughout the study period, and outcomes are assessed before and after the intervention.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Radwa Mohamed Hussien, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Radwa M Hussien, Pt, PhD, Principal investigator, Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07531550
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T. REC/012/006181
- Acronym
- DKV
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There is no plan to share individual participant data (IPD) from this study. All collected data will remain confidential and will not be made publicly available in order to protect participant privacy and comply with ethical regulations. Access Criteria: Not applicable, as individual participant data will not be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- EFFECT OF CORE STABILITY EXERCISES AND KNEE, HIP FOCUSED EXERSISES ON DYNAMIC KNEE VALGUS IN PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07531550
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DKV / P.T. REC/012/006181
- Keywords
- Dynamic knee valgus (DKV)
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
Research Question:
Does adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program have an effect on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with PFPS?
Detailed description
Detailed Description:
Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the effect of adding core muscle strengthening exercises to a hip- and knee-focused exercise program on pain intensity, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
The findings of this study may provide a more effective rehabilitation program for female patients with PFPS, support the use of validated outcome measures in clinical practice, and improve symptom management during activities of daily living and functional recovery within a shorter period of time. This combined approach may be more efficient than the conventional hip- and knee-focused exercise program alone. Systematic assessment and monitoring of patient outcomes are recommended to guide clinical decision-making.
Study Delimitations:
This study will be delimited to:
Female patients clinically diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Thirty-six participants aged 19-35 years with body mass index (BMI) up to 25 kg/m².
Assessment procedures including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for knee pain, dynamic knee valgus (DKV) measured using Kinovea software, and the Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) for knee function.
Treatment procedures:
Group A (control group): hip- and knee-focused exercise program. Group B (study group): hip- and knee-focused exercise program in addition to core muscle stability exercises.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, care provider)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This study uses a parallel assignment interventional model in which participants are allocated into two groups. The intervention group receives a core muscle stability exercise program, while the control group receives conventional physiotherapy. Both groups are treated concurrently throughout the study period, and outcomes are assessed before and after the intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| control group hip and knee focused exercises program | Active comparator | Behavioral: hip and knee-focused exercise programOpen kinetic chain exercises including side-lying hip abduction, hip external rotation (clamshell), prone hip extension, short arc quadriceps, and straight leg raises 1. Closed kinetic chain exercises including mini wall squats and terminal knee extensions 2. Flexibility exercises targeting tight lower extremity soft tissues, including a seated hamstring stretch, standing quadriceps stretch, and standing wall stretch for the gastrocnemius |
| Study group hip and knee focused exercises program in addition to core muscle training exercises | Experimental | Behavioral: Core Muscle Stability Exercise Programparticipants who will received the same exercise program as control group, in addition to core muscle training exercises, including the front plank, side plank, and dead bug exercises |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 35 weeks
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Thirty-six female participants diagnosed and referred with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) (retropatellar knee pain lasting more than 6 weeks).
- Age range between 19-35 years.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) up to 25 kg/m².
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- History of previous surgeries of the lower limb.
- Clinical evidence of knee joint complex disorders, including meniscus lesions, 3-patellar tendinopathy, chondral lesions, or knee osteoarthritis.
- 4-Presence of pronated foot.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Core Muscle Stability Exercise Programcore muscle training exercises, including the front plank, side plank, and dead bug exercises | Behavioural | Study group hip and knee focused exercises program in addition to core muscle training exercises |
| hip and knee-focused exercise programOpen kinetic chain exercises including side-lying hip abduction, hip external rotation (clamshell), prone hip extension, short arc quadriceps, and straight leg raises (Khayambashi et al., 2012) ( Dolak et al., 2011). 1. Closed kinetic chain exercises including mini wall squats and terminal knee extensions (Hott et al., 2020). 2. Flexibility exercises targeting tight lower extremity soft tissues, including a seated hamstring stretch, standing quadriceps stretch, and standing wall stretch for the gastrocnemius | Behavioural | control group hip and knee focused exercises program |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity During Motion
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Pain intensity during movement will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Knee Function
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Knee function will be assessed using the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS). The KOS score ranges from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better knee function.
Pain Intensity at Rest
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Pain intensity at rest will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Dynamic Knee Valgus (DKV)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)
Dynamic knee valgus will be assessed by measuring the knee valgus angle in degrees during functional tasks. Higher values indicate greater valgus deviation and poorer knee alignment.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. There is no plan to share individual participant data (IPD) from this study. All collected data will remain confidential and will not be made publicly available in order to protect participant privacy and comply with ethical regulations. Access Criteria: Not applicable, as individual participant data will not be shared.
Related trials for Pain
Recruiting
Postoperative Delirium and Analgesia in Elderly Patients
Postoperative Delirium, Postoperative Pain, Acute
Recruiting
Implementation of a Pain Management Plan in Major Open Abdominal Surgeries.
Abdomen Cancer, Pancreas Adenocarcinoma (MSI-H)
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Stress Ball Use on Perioperative Anxiety and Postoperative Pain in Parturients Undergoing Cesarean Section
Postoperative Pain
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Sacral Erector Spinae Plane Block on Quality of Recovery After Cesarean Delivery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Pain, Postoperative Pain
Not yet recruiting
VibraCool Device to Reduce Pain and Opioid Use After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR)
ACL, Opioid Use
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Radwa M Hussien, Pt, PhD principal investigator
Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Core Muscle Stability Exercise Program and hip and knee-focused exercise program in people with Pain and DKV, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity During Motion (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Jul 2026.