Stabilization vs Corrective Exercise in PFP

March 7, 2026 updated by: Ahmed Salah Eldin Alsayed Mohamed Ali Alshab, Ahram Canadian University

Functional Stabilization Training VS Comprehensive Corrective Exercises on Lower Limb Kinematics in Patellofemoral Pain and Dynamic Knee Valgus

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a Functional Stabilization training program (FST) and a comprehensive corrective exercise program in PF pain and DKV.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

PF pain impairs performance and quality of life and can predispose individuals to early PF osteoarthritis and Dynamic knee valgus has been identified as a modifiable risk factor for PF pain and serious knee injury .

Current rehabilitation strategies show mixed results. Solo hip strengthening programs may not correct Dynamic knee valgus. While both Functional Stabilization training (FST) and comprehensive corrective programs (CCEP) show potential benefits, direct comparisons are lacking. The FST suggested superior outcomes with functional training, but it did not specifically target DKV. Conversely, the CCEP demonstrated kinematic improvements, but included asymptomatic participants and lacked patient reported outcomes.

By directly comparing Functional Stabilization training (FST) with the CCEP, this study aims to provide clinicians with evidence based guidance on the most effective exercise strategy for improving lower limb kinematics and reducing pain. The findings could inform best practice guidelines and enhance outcomes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • 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 Backup

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patellofemoral pain lasting > 6 weeks
  • Demonstrates dynamic knee valgus during single-leg squat (FPPA ≥ 10°).
  • Arabic Kujala Patellofemoral Scale (KPS) score < 80.
  • Age 18-35 years

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous knee surgery; ligament/meniscus injury; or lower-limb fractures
  • Neurologic disorders.
  • Systemic inflammatory disease
  • Pregnancy.

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
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Standard Care (SC)
Standard care exercise program for patellofemoral pain. Participants receive 24 supervised sessions (3 sessions/week for 8 weeks), ~45-60 minutes/session." (If you want 1 extra line: "Exercises follow a conventional PFP program based on Baldon et al.")
Behavioral: Standard Care Exercise Program (SC)
Supervised standard care exercise therapy for patellofemoral pain, delivered 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks (24 sessions), ~45-60 minutes/session.
Experimental: Functional Stabilization Training (FST)
Functional stabilization/neuromuscular training to optimize movement patterns and dynamic alignment. 24 supervised sessions (3/week for 8 weeks), ~45-60 minutes/session. Includes warm-up/cool-down (~15 min) and ~45 min exercises. Intensity/progression increases every 2 weeks; exercises progress from ~2 sets (10-20 reps) with ~5-sec isometric holds to ~3 sets of ~12 reps with ~10-sec holds and added external load (weights/elastic resistance)
Behavioral: Functional Stabilization Training (FST)
Supervised functional stabilization/neuromuscular exercise program focusing on lower-limb alignment and movement control. 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks (24 sessions), ~45-60 minutes/session, progressive difficulty/load
Other Names:
  • Neuromuscular training
Experimental: Comprehensive Corrective Exercise Program (CCEP)
Comprehensive corrective exercise program targeting strength, flexibility, neuromuscular control, and alignment across the kinetic chain for dynamic knee valgus. 24 supervised sessions (3/week for 8 weeks), ~45-60 minutes/session. Three phases: weeks 1-2 sensorimotor/non-weight-bearing alignment + feedback + isometrics; weeks 3-6 progressive weight-bearing with increased load/complexity and emphasis on co-contraction/reciprocal activation; weeks 7-8 functional tasks to maintain gains and challenge multi-planar control. Visual/verbal/tactile feedback provided; progression only with correct technique
Behavioral: Comprehensive Corrective Exercise Program (CCEP)
Supervised comprehensive corrective exercise program targeting flexibility, strength, and neuromuscular control across the kinetic chain to address dynamic knee valgus. 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks (24 sessions), ~45-60 minutes/session, phase-based progression

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Peak Knee Abduction (Valgus) Angle (3D motion analysis)
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in peak knee abduction (valgus) angle of the stance limb measured using a 3D motion capture system (Vicon) during functional tasks (single-leg squat and drop/vertical jump landing). Lower values indicate reduced dynamic knee valgus.
Baseline and 8 weeks
Hip and Pelvis Kinematics (3D motion analysis)
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in peak hip adduction, peak hip internal rotation, contralateral pelvic drop, and trunk lateral lean during the functional tasks measured by 3D motion capture.
Baseline and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Kujala Patellofemoral Scale (KPS)
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in patient-reported knee function using the Arabic Kujala Patellofemoral Scale (0-100)
Baseline and 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Ahram Canadian University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

  • Sahabuddin, F. N. A., Jamaludin, N. I., Amir, N. H., & Shaharudin, S. (2021). The effects of hip- and ankle-focused exercise intervention on dynamic knee valgus: a systematic review. PeerJ, 9, e11731. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11731
  • Rabelo, N. D. D. A., Costa, L. O. P., Lima, B. M., Dos Reis, A. C., Bley, A. S., Fukuda, T. Y., & Lucareli, P. R. G. (2017). Adding motor control training to muscle strengthening did not substantially improve the effects on clinical or kinematic outcomes in women with patellofemoral pain: A randomised controlled trial. Gait & posture, 58, 280-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.08.018
  • Emamvirdi, M., Letafatkar, A., & Khaleghi Tazji, M. (2019). The Effect of Valgus Control Instruction Exercises on Pain, Strength, and Functionality in Active Females With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Sports health, 11(3), 223-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738119837622
  • Baldon, R. D. M., Serrão, F. V., Silva, R. S., & Piva, S. R. (2014). Effects of functional stabilization training on pain, function, and lower extremity biomechanics in women with patellofemoral pain: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 44(4), 240-251. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2014.4940

Helpful Links

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 (Estimated)

April 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 7, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 7, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 7, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • FSTvsCCEP in PFP and DKV

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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