Istanbul University, Faculty of Health Science, Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Patellofemoral pain is a common condition characterized by pain in anterior knee, around the kneecap. It is known that exercise is beneficial in rehabilitation in general. Exercise programs applied to patients with PFP should include hip and knee-targeted combined exercises. Nowadays, Pilates is used as an effective rehabilitation tool for individuals with musculoskeletal problems, especially in reducing pain and improving function. Therefore, we believe that Pilates exercises can be effective in PFP Considering that PFP is a chronic condition and exercise therapy is one of the main strategies in the treatment. Pilates may be preferred as one of the alternative treatment method.

This randomized controlled study was designed to compare the effects of two different treatment protocols, Group-I (Supervised Rehabilitation) and Group-II (Pilates Exercises). Patients who applied to the Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Sports Medicine outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with PFP by a specialist physician based on the patient histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic imaging. The estimated desired sample size was at least 14 participants per group. We anticipated a dropout rate of 20%. Therefore, 34 participants were required for each group (Supervised Rehabilitation n=17, Pilates Exercises n=17) of both sexes, ages ranging from 18-45 years. A computer generated randomization list was used to divide the patients into two groups (https://www.randomizer.org/). An 'Informed Consent Form' was obtained from patients by explaining the purpose of the study, the duration of the study, the treatments to be applied, and possible side effects.