Motor control exercises were not superior to general exercises for women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effect of a motor control protocol with a general exercise protocol on average pain intensity, global perceived effect, isometric strength, pain catastrophization, kinesiophobia, central sensitization, and quality of life in women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

Design: This is a single blind randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinding of assessors.

Methods: Sixty people with greater trochanteric pain syndrome were selected for the study and assessed at baseline and at 8 and 60 weeks. The motor control protocol focused on isometric and isotonic strengthening exercises, associated with neuromuscular training to improve the dynamic motor control of the lower limbs. The general exercise protocol focused on warm-up, stretching, and strengthening of the trunk, hip and lower limb muscles. Both groups performed 50-60 min sessions, twice a week, supervised, for 8 weeks.

Results: No Time × Group interaction was observed with respect to average pain intensity at 8 weeks (mean difference: -0.06; 95 % confidence interval -1.41 to 1.29; p = 0.92, effect size = 0.02) or 60 weeks (mean difference: -0.75; 95 % confidence interval -2.35 to 0.83; p = 0.34, effect size = 0.24). The two interventions also had similar effects on the secondary outcomes.

Conclusions: Motor control exercises were not superior to general exercises in improving average pain intensity and the secondary outcomes after 8 and 60 weeks; therefore, patient (and therapist) preferences should be considered when considering exercise prescription for the rehabilitation of women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome.