{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,14]],"date-time":"2026-09-14T01:21:06Z","timestamp":1789348866877,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":0,"publisher":"F1000 Research Ltd","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["F1000Res"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\nKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent condition. Recent research highlights the role of kinetic chain and core muscle involvement in disease progression, yet evidence for structured core activation protocols such as CARE-KOA\u00a9 remains limited.This study addresses this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of CARE-KOA\u00a9, which specifically targets proximal stability and biomechanical deficits in KOA, aiming to enhance pain, function, and core endurance beyond conventional approaches.\n\nMethods\nThis prospective single-group pre-post study assessed the effect of a Participants underwent a 4-week CARE-KOA\u00a9 regimen (12 supervised sessions, each including a 10-minute warm-up and core-focused exercises). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), patient-reported outcomes (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, KOOS), physical function tests (30-second sit-to-stand, 40-meter fast-paced walk, stair climb, timed up-and-go), and knee muscle strength and core endurance. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests in JAMOVI.\n\nResults\nSignificant improvements were observed in pain at rest (mean change: 1.13 cm, p = 0.0006, d = 1.07) and during activity (mean change: 2.46 cm, p = 0.000001, d = 1.76), patient-reported outcomes (KOOS Pain: p = 0.00003, d = -0.83; KOOS ADL: p = 0.0000009, d = -1.19), and core endurance (p = 0.027, d = 0.21). Physical function tests also improved (stair climb: p = 0.031, d = 0.34; timed up-and-go: p = 0.006, d = 0.13). Muscle strength gains were significant in flexors of the unaffected knee and extensors of the affected knee (p &lt; 0.05), while other muscle groups showed no significant change.\n\nConclusion\nThe CARE-KOA\u00a9 program led to clinically meaningful improvements in pain, function, and core endurance, highlighting the value of core activation strategies in KOA management. Future research with larger samples and longer follow-up is warranted to confirm these benefits and optimize exercise protocols.\n\nStudy Trial Registration\nCTRI\/2023\/07\/05480 on 05\/07\/2024 https:\/\/ctri.nic.in\/Clinicaltrials\/regtrial.php?modid=1&amp;compid=19&amp;EncHid=69416.70327\n\nCopy right registration: L \u2013 158197\/2024<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.12688\/f1000research.163321.4","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,1]],"date-time":"2025-12-01T15:22:11Z","timestamp":1764602531000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Effectiveness Of The Core Activation And Rehabilitation Exercises For Knee Osteoarthritis - Program (CARE -KOA\u00a9) Among Patients Diagnosed With Knee Osteoarthritis."],"prefix":"10.12688","author":[{"given":"Dias Tina","family":"Thomas","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2560","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025]]},"container-title":["F1000Research"],"original-title":[],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,1]],"date-time":"2025-12-01T15:22:16Z","timestamp":1764602536000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/f1000research.com\/articles\/14-496\/v4"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025]]},"references-count":0,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.12688\/f1000research.163321.4","relation":{"has-review":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.5256\/f1000research.184839.r399752","asserted-by":"object"},{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.5256\/f1000research.184839.r399751","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["2046-1402"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2046-1402","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025]]}}}