Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises in Female Patients With Gonarthrosis

March 16, 2026 updated by: Selvin BALKİ, Cumhuriyet University

Randomized Controlled Study of the Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises in Addition to Knee Exercises in Female Patients With Gonarthrosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a non-inflammatory degenerative disease characterized by progressive deterioration of cartilage tissue, synovial membrane, and joint capsule, primarily affecting weight-bearing joints. Individuals with knee osteoarthritis exhibit weakness in the trunk and periarticular muscles. This loss of strength in the trunk and periarticular muscles increases the load on the joint, contributing to the development and progression of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the effects of core stabilization, applied in addition to knee muscle exercise programs, on clinical symptoms and functional capacity in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease and a leading cause of disability worldwide. It represents a significant public health and cost problem due to reduced work productivity and early retirement. OA is a non-inflammatory degenerative disease characterized by progressive deterioration of cartilage tissue, synovial membrane, and joint capsule, particularly in weight-bearing joints, along with a series of biochemical and morphological changes. While its etiology is not fully understood, it is considered a multifactorial disease involving a combination of systemic and regional factors. Increased bone density, joint laxity, and excessive mechanical loading are some of these factors. Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include pain, joint stiffness, swelling, loss of function, and muscle weakness. Pain and joint stiffness in individuals negatively affect daily living activities such as climbing stairs, walking, and running, leading to decreased functionality. Current literature emphasizes that strong proximal trunk stabilization is needed for safe and effective completion of movements in the distal segments, and that weakness in this region is directly related to lower extremity pain. This study aimed to investigate the effects of core stabilization, applied in addition to an exercise program for the knee muscles, on clinical symptoms and functional capacity in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Selvin Balki, Associate professor, Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: 2652 +90 346 4870000
  • Email: balkipt@gmail.com

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Sivas, Turkey (Türkiye), 58140
        • Recruiting
        • Sivas Cumhuriyet University
        • Contact:
          • Selvin Balki, Associate professor, Ph.D.
          • Phone Number: 2652 +90 346 4870000
          • Email: balkipt@gmail.com
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Kellgren-Lawrence 2-3 knee osteoarthritis
  • Female patient aged 40-65
  • Volunteer

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having received physical therapy within the last month
  • Presence of neurological, cardiac, and respiratory problems
  • Less than 90 degrees of flexion in the knee and hip joints
  • Presence of any pathology in the lower extremity that may affect balance and function
  • History of lower extremity surgery
  • Severe visual, hearing, and speech impairment
  • Illiteracy in Turkish
  • Body mass index of 30 or higher

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Experimental Group
This group will receive 10 days of conventional physiotherapy (Hot Pack, TENS, Ultrasound) and 6 weeks of routine knee exercises + 6 weeks of core stabilization exercises.
Other: 10 days of conventional physiotherapy (Hot Pack, TENS, Ultrasound) and 6 weeks of routine knee exercises
For 10 days, conventional physical therapy consisting of Hot Pack, TENS, Ultrasound, and routine knee strengthening exercises was applied in the hospital. These knee exercises were continued for four weeks after the hospital treatment period.
Other: Six weeks of core stabilization exercises.
For six weeks, Warner et al. A core stabilization exercise protocol, as defined by was provided. This protocol included neutral spine position in hook position, activation of deep abdominal muscles, supine bridge, ipsilateral and contralateral limb movements in hook position, abdominal curl (sit-up), bridge (double and single leg), plank on knees, side plank on knees, clam exercise (without resistance), and modified 100 exercises. The exercises were performed 3 days a week, with 10 repetitions each.
Other: Control Group
This group will receive 10 days of conventional physiotherapy (Hot Pack, TENS, Ultrasound) and 6 weeks of routine knee exercises.
Other: 10 days of conventional physiotherapy (Hot Pack, TENS, Ultrasound) and 6 weeks of routine knee exercises
For 10 days, conventional physical therapy consisting of Hot Pack, TENS, Ultrasound, and routine knee strengthening exercises was applied in the hospital. These knee exercises were continued for four weeks after the hospital treatment period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sit Ups
Time Frame: Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Participants are positioned supine with knees flexed and hands crossed over their shoulders. Their feet are held in place by the researcher, and the individual is asked to perform trunk flexion. The number of repetitions completed within 30 seconds is recorded.
Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Modified Push-Up
Time Frame: Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Participants lie face down on an exercise mat with their knees flexed. They are asked to lift their head, torso, and hips off the ground, placing their hands on the floor and extending their elbows, so that they form a straight line. The number of complete repetitions the participant performs while maintaining this straight line within 30 seconds is recorded.
Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Core Endurance Tests
Time Frame: Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Core endurance is determined by core endurance tests (right and left lateral bridge test, trunk extension test, trunk flexion test), as defined by McGgill, and the prone bridge test.
Baseline-6 weeks follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
30-Second Sit-Stand Test
Time Frame: Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Used to assess lower extremity muscle strength. The participant sits in the middle of a chair with no armrests, back support, and a seat height of 44 cm, with their arms crossed at chest level. Upon the command "Start," the participant is asked to fully stand up and sit down as quickly as possible without losing their balance for 30 seconds. The number of complete sit-ups and stands within 30 seconds is recorded as a score.
Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
Time Frame: Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
The index is a validated, multidimensional, patient-reported assessment tool used to evaluate pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The index consists of three subcategories and a total of 24 items: pain (5 questions; 0-20 points), stiffness (2 questions; 0-8 points), and physical function (17 questions; 0-68 points). Each item is worth 0-4 points. The total score ranges from 0 to 96. In all subcategories and the total score, higher scores indicate worse health status, while lower scores indicate better health status.
Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Single Leg Balance Test
Time Frame: Baseline-6 weeks follow-up
Participants were asked to stand on one leg on a hard surface, ensuring that the unsupported leg did not touch the other leg and without using external support. The procedure was repeated three times for each participant, and the highest value obtained was used in the statistical analysis phase. The timer was started the moment the participant lifted the supporting leg; it was stopped when the balance was lost, when the unsupported leg touched the ground, or when external support was applied. This test was repeated on both the right and left sides.
Baseline-6 weeks follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Cumhuriyet University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Selvin Balki, Cumhuriyet University
  • Principal Investigator: Eda Yıldırım, Cumhuriyet University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 5, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 14, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 19, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 16, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • SCU-FTR-SB-08

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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