Riassunto dello studio

Sixty patients with hip osteoarthritis were randomized to receive either a hip and core exercise program (n=20), hip exercise alone (n=20), or no intervention (n=20). The outcomes of interest were balance, assessed using the four-stage balance test and core muscle strength, measured with a pressure biofeedback unit. Outcomes were assessed for up to 12 weeks. Overall, the study found that while both exercise groups showed improvements in balance, the addition of core exercises did not significantly enhance balance outcomes over hip exercises alone. However, a significant improvement in core stability was noted for the hip and core exercise group (P<0.001). These findings suggest that while core strengthening exercises significantly improve core stability, they do not significantly enhance balance outcomes in patients with hip osteoarthritis beyond the improvements seen with hip exercises alone.