How do hip exercises improve pain in individuals with patellofemoral pain? Secondary mediation analysis of strength and psychological factors as mechanisms.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Dec;51(12):602-610. Holden S, Matthews M, Rathleff MS, Kasza J, Group F, Vicenzino B.

Purpose: To determine whether the effect of hip exercise on patellofemoral pain is mediated through changes in hip muscle strength or psychological factors.

Conclusion: Hip strength improved after hip exercise, yet strength did not mediate improvements in pain and pain-free squats, and alternative psychological mediators were not implicated.

See abstract.