Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42497292›Full record

Trial reportPloS one2026

Dynamic proprioceptive training improves functional recovery in sprinters with patellofemoral pain: A randomized trial.

Devadharshini B, Shenbaga Sundaram Subramanian, Jeevarathinam Thirumalai, Hadeel R Bakhsh, Saad Suleman Alfawaz, Rayan Jastania, Riziq Allah Mustafa Gaowgzeh, Thamer A Altaim, Fadwa Alhalaiqa, Porkodi Arjunan and 1 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Devadharshini BSaveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Shenbaga Sundaram SubramanianSaveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6150-0928
Jeevarathinam ThirumalaiSaveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5329-2744
Hadeel R BakhshDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Saad Suleman AlfawazDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Rayan JastaniaDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6436-6317
Riziq Allah Mustafa GaowgzehDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4199-2600
Thamer A AltaimDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6527-4289
Fadwa AlhalaiqaCollege of Nursing, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Porkodi ArjunanNursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.
Yasmeen Imtiaz GSRM College of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6229-0774

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPatellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal condition among physically active individuals, particularly sprinters, and is frequently associated with pain, impaired balance, and reduced functional performance. This study compared the effects of dynamic proprioceptive training and conventional strengthening on multidomain functional recovery in recreational sprinters with PFPS.

methodsA two-arm, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted among 60 recreational sprinters with unilateral PFPS. Participants were randomly allocated to either a Dynamic Proprioceptive Training (DPT) group or a Strengthening Program (SP) group (n = 30 each). Both groups received supervised rehabilitation three times weekly for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]), dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test [YBT]), and single-hop distance. Secondary outcomes included limb symmetry index (LSI), recovery rates, and a composite Recovery Efficiency Index (REI). Assessments were performed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Repeated-measures ANOVA and regression-based analyses were performed. This trial was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2025/07/090253).

resultsBoth groups improved significantly over time (p < 0.001). However, the DPT group demonstrated greater clinically meaningful improvements than the SP group. At 12 weeks, between-group differences favored DPT for pain reduction (MD = 1.01 NPRS points, 95% CI: 0.61-1.41), dynamic balance (MD = 5.73 cm, 95% CI: 4.31-7.15), and hop performance (MD = 35.84 mm, 95% CI: 16.84-54.85).

conclusionDynamic proprioceptive training produced greater multidomain functional recovery than conventional strengthening in recreational sprinters with PFPS. Incorporating sensorimotor and perturbation-based exercises into rehabilitation programmes may improve functional recovery, limb symmetry, and sport-specific performance in athletic populations.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyPatellofemoral Pain SyndromeProprioceptionRecovery of FunctionRunningAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMalePain MeasurementTreatment OutcomeYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID42497292
PMCPMC13399522

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.