<p>Changes in Q-angle (degrees) from baseline.</p>

Linear mixed-effects models showed significant time effects for Q-angle, VAS-Run, and AKPS (all p < 0.001), but no significant time-by-group interactions for Q-angle (p = 0.190), VAS-Run (p = 0.302), or AKPS (p = 0.317). Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons did not identify significant between-group differences at W16. The association between Q-angle reduction and VAS-Run improvement was significant in the Hip-STAB group (r = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.52, p < 0.001) and the Control group (r = 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.59, p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p><p>Hip-STAB and standard care were each associated with improvements in static Q-angle, running pain, and function, but Hip-STAB was not superior to standard care.

The correlation between Q-angle and pain changes should be interpreted as an association rather than evidence of a causal biomechanical mechanism.</p></div>