Gait retraining using real-time feedback in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis: Feasibility and effects of a six-week gait training program.

BACKGROUND

The knee adduction moment (KAM) is often elevated in medial knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this study was to evaluate effects on KAM and patient-reported outcomes of a six-week gait training program.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients (61 ± 6 years) with KOA participated in a six-week biofeedback training program to encourage increased toe-in (all patients) and increased step-width (five patients). Patients received real-time visual feedback while walking on an instrumented treadmill. We analysed the effect of the gait modification(s) on peak KAM in week six and three and six months post-training. We also evaluated the effect on pain and functional ability.

RESULTS

Of 21 patients starting the program, 16 completed it with high attendance (15 and 16 respectively) at the three and six month follow-ups. First peak KAM was significantly reduced by up to 14.0% in week six with non-significant reductions of 8.2% and 5.5% at the follow-ups. Functional ability (assessed using the WOMAC questionnaire) improved significantly after the training (eight point reduction, p = 0.04 in week six and nine point reduction, p = 0.04 at six-month follow-up). There was also a trend towards reduction in WOMAC pain (p = 0.06) at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofeedback training to encourage gait modifications is feasible and leads to short-term benefits. However, at follow-up, reductions in KAM were less pronounced in some participants suggesting that to influence progression of KOA in the longer term, a permanent regime to reinforce the effects of the training program is needed. Trial number: ISRCTN14687588.