Innovative Gait Training for People With Knee Osteoarthritis Using Dual Belt Treadmill

The Efficacy of Unilateral Speed-upscaling Gait Training in Promoting Pain and Functional Recovery in People With Total Knee Replacement: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is the leading cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain and functional disability. Gait assessment is essential for the rehabilitation of people with knee OA. It may reflect the impact of knee OA on functional outcomes and allow prediction of prognosis for patients. Various people with knee OA may demonstrate different forms of gait asymmetry owing to his/her own knee pain experienced and joint instability perceived. The stance time, peak vertical and peak propulsive ground reaction force have found to be significantly reduced on the OA affected limb. People with knee OA demonstrate compensatory gait pattern to minimize joint loading. It is quite common that the severity of the OA symptoms varies in the two knees, and patients may demonstrate various forms of gait asymmetries, such changes in gait biomechanics does not only impact the affected knee joint. Its impact extends proximally along the kinetic chain system of the human body, where often knee OA patients presents with significantly increased lateral trunk flexion towards ipsilateral limb during walking.

Gait asymmetry as a result of knee OA has been constantly reported in both human and animal studies. Previous studies showed that people with unilateral knee symptoms may adapt to asymmetrical movement patterns, which results in reduced net knee extension demand moments Research interest on gait asymmetry has been expanded to other cohort of patients, e.g. hemiplegic stroke patients. Extensive evidence has shown that the modification of walking speed has a positive impact on the propulsive force of hemiplegic patient's affected limb. These encouraging results have form indications for future investigation on evaluating the impact of innovative gait training in promoting symmetrical gait pattern, targeting patients with unilateral knee OA or bilateral knee OA of different severity. The objective to assess knee OA's gait under different walking conditions is now feasible with the access to the dualbelt treadmill at PolyU. In addition to walking speed modification, emerging backward walking as part of gait training rehabilitation in knee OA patients has become increasingly popular. Backward walking is regulated by the same central pattern generator as forward walking; however, it does not require initial heel contact in early stance phase of the gait cycle as it would be in forward walking. This leads to reduced compression force at the patella-femoral joint and decreased force absorption imposed at the knee joint. Recent systematic review and meta-analysis have suggested combining backward walking to conventional physiotherapy has significantly improve clinical outcomes, including pain control, functional disability, muscle strength, gait pattern, balance and postural stability in knee OA patients.

All of above-mentioned findings have highlighted the connection between specific gait parameters and clinical outcomes, and also the importance of monitoring these changes as disease naturally progress. It is also vital to note the benefits of emerging technologies as the implementation of novel strategies can optimize the ambulatory capacity of the individual, which therefore enhance their recovery potential and quality of life.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Total Knee Replacement
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Gait training program; Behavioral: Conventional training only

Detailed Description

This study is a two-armed, parallel group, single centered randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of gait training combined with conventional treatment as compared to conventional treatment alone in post-TKR rehabilitation program. Potential participants will be recruited from BH and QEH, where patients with confirmed diagnosis of K&L grade 2 to 4 knee OA who have received TKR will be eligible for this study. Subjects with prior history of knee surgery, impaired lower limb function other than knee joint or has previously received an intra-articular injection to knee will be excluded from the study to ensure validity of results. It aims to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of combined conventional rehabilitation with gait training on dual-belt treadmill and conventional rehabilitation alone on post-operative clinical outcomes and gait pattern.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 54
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Potential participants will be recruited from BH and QEH, where patients with confirmed diagnosis of K&L grade 2 to 4 knee OA who have received TKR will be eligible for this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with prior history of knee surgery, impaired lower limb function other than knee joint or has previously received an intra-articular injection to knee will be excluded from the study to ensure validity of results.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention Group; Participants in the intervention group will receive a weekly gait training program at PolyU in addition to conventional treatment at Outpatient Patient Department (OPD) of The Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital twice per week for 4 consecutive weeks. Gait training program at PolyU is a supervised rehabilitation program performed on the dual-belt treadmill.	Behavioral: Gait training program; Gait training program at PolyU is a supervised rehabilitation program performed on the dual-belt treadmill. It consists of forward walking at increased speed over the affected leg and retro walking (backward walking) at individual's own pace (5 minutes/set for three sets, with rest periods in each session). This program also consists of a standardized set of warm-up and cool-down exercises at each training session. Participants will also receive conventional physiotherapy treatment in the outpatient physiotherapy clinic.
Active Comparator: Control Group; Participants in control group will only receive conventional treatment at Outpatient Patient Department (OPD) of BH twice per week for 4 consecutive weeks.	Behavioral: Conventional training only; Conventional physiotherapy treatment in the outpatient physiotherapy clinic.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index	Pain intensity, stiffness and function of the operated knee will be assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. Minimum：0 Maximum：96 Higher scores on the WOMAC indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.	pre-operative session (T1)
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index	Pain intensity, stiffness and function of the operated knee will be assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. Minimum：0 Maximum：96 Higher scores on the WOMAC indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index	Pain intensity, stiffness and function of the operated knee will be assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. Minimum：0 Maximum：96 Higher scores on the WOMAC indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index	Pain intensity, stiffness and function of the operated knee will be assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. Minimum：0 Maximum：96 Higher scores on the WOMAC indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.	six-month follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
30s Chair-Stand Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	pre-operative session (T1)
30s Chair-Stand Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
30s Chair-Stand Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
30s Chair-Stand Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-month follow-up
40-m Fast-Paced Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	pre-operative session (T1)
40-m Fast-Paced Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
40-m Fast-Paced Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
40-m Fast-Paced Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-month follow-up
Stair-Climb Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	pre-operative session (T1)
Stair-Climb Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
Stair-Climb Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
Stair-Climb Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-month follow-up
Timed Up-and-Go Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	pre-operative session (T1)
Timed Up-and-Go Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
Timed Up-and-Go Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
Timed Up-and-Go Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-month follow-up
6-min Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	pre-operative session (T1)
6-min Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
6-min Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
6-min Walk Test	This test is chosen as recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Advisory Group (OARSI) for their sensitivity in detecting change in knee functions over time in knee OA patients. Testing and scoring procedures strictly adheres to the standardization and instructions suggested in the OARSI recommendation.	six-month follow-up
Step Length Asymmetry	Step length is the anterior-posterior (i.e. along the x-axis) distance in millimeters between ankles markers at heel strike. Equal step lengths result in zero step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is related to propulsive force generation during paretic walking. In situation where the unaffected leg's step length is longer than the affected leg's step length indicates step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is then quantified by using a step length ratio, defined as step length of the (more) affected limb divided by the step length non-affected limb (or less affected limb). This results in a unitless parameter that is essential for comparing inter-subject differences.The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	pre-operative session (T1)
Step Length Asymmetry	Step length is the anterior-posterior (i.e. along the x-axis) distance in millimeters between ankles markers at heel strike. Equal step lengths result in zero step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is related to propulsive force generation during paretic walking. In situation where the unaffected leg's step length is longer than the affected leg's step length indicates step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is then quantified by using a step length ratio, defined as step length of the (more) affected limb divided by the step length non-affected limb (or less affected limb). This results in a unitless parameter that is essential for comparing inter-subject differences. The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
Step Length Asymmetry	Step length is the anterior-posterior (i.e. along the x-axis) distance in millimeters between ankles markers at heel strike. Equal step lengths result in zero step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is related to propulsive force generation during paretic walking. In situation where the unaffected leg's step length is longer than the affected leg's step length indicates step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is then quantified by using a step length ratio, defined as step length of the (more) affected limb divided by the step length non-affected limb (or less affected limb). This results in a unitless parameter that is essential for comparing inter-subject differences. The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
Step Length Asymmetry	Step length is the anterior-posterior (i.e. along the x-axis) distance in millimeters between ankles markers at heel strike. Equal step lengths result in zero step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is related to propulsive force generation during paretic walking. In situation where the unaffected leg's step length is longer than the affected leg's step length indicates step length asymmetry. Step length asymmetry is then quantified by using a step length ratio, defined as step length of the (more) affected limb divided by the step length non-affected limb (or less affected limb). This results in a unitless parameter that is essential for comparing inter-subject differences. The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	six-month follow-up
Knee Moment	Knee Moment is a measurement of the medial tibiofemoral contact force. The initial peak knee adduction torque during walking is a strong predictor of the severity and rate of progression of medial compartment knee OA. The KAM is generated by the combination of ground reaction force, which passes medially to the knee joint during walking. It is recorded by two force plates at 1080Hz and 3D kinematic data acquired by the infrared camera system at 120Hz using the VICON Motion System, Oxford, UK. In this particular study, subjects that has been selected to receive 3D bipedal locomotion analysis using the Vicon Optical Motion Capturing system will be assessed under various walking conditions; The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	pre-operative session (T1)
Knee Moment	Knee Moment is a measurement of the medial tibiofemoral contact force. The initial peak knee adduction torque during walking is a strong predictor of the severity and rate of progression of medial compartment knee OA. The KAM is generated by the combination of ground reaction force, which passes medially to the knee joint during walking. It is recorded by two force plates at 1080Hz and 3D kinematic data acquired by the infrared camera system at 120Hz using the VICON Motion System, Oxford, UK. In this particular study, subjects that has been selected to receive 3D bipedal locomotion analysis using the Vicon Optical Motion Capturing system will be assessed under various walking conditions; The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
Knee Moment	Knee Moment is a measurement of the medial tibiofemoral contact force. The initial peak knee adduction torque during walking is a strong predictor of the severity and rate of progression of medial compartment knee OA. The KAM is generated by the combination of ground reaction force, which passes medially to the knee joint during walking. It is recorded by two force plates at 1080Hz and 3D kinematic data acquired by the infrared camera system at 120Hz using the VICON Motion System, Oxford, UK. In this particular study, subjects that has been selected to receive 3D bipedal locomotion analysis using the Vicon Optical Motion Capturing system will be assessed under various walking conditions; The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
Knee Moment	Knee Moment is a measurement of the medial tibiofemoral contact force. The initial peak knee adduction torque during walking is a strong predictor of the severity and rate of progression of medial compartment knee OA. The KAM is generated by the combination of ground reaction force, which passes medially to the knee joint during walking. It is recorded by two force plates at 1080Hz and 3D kinematic data acquired by the infrared camera system at 120Hz using the VICON Motion System, Oxford, UK. In this particular study, subjects that has been selected to receive 3D bipedal locomotion analysis using the Vicon Optical Motion Capturing system will be assessed under various walking conditions; The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	six-month follow-up
Ground Reaction Force	Ground Reaction Force ( GRF) is a gait variable that has been reported to be closely associated with walking speed, severity of disease and presence of step length asymmetry in knee OA patients. GRF is determined using a frequency threshold of 20Hz, and the resultant force (measured in Newtons) will be normalized using division normalization. It is a common practice for studies evaluating GRF to normalize these forces by linear scaling them to subject's body weight, in order to allow comparison between subjects.The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	pre-operative session (T1)
Ground Reaction Force	Ground Reaction Force ( GRF) is a gait variable that has been reported to be closely associated with walking speed, severity of disease and presence of step length asymmetry in knee OA patients. GRF is determined using a frequency threshold of 20Hz, and the resultant force (measured in Newtons) will be normalized using division normalization. It is a common practice for studies evaluating GRF to normalize these forces by linear scaling them to subject's body weight, in order to allow comparison between subjects.The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
Ground Reaction Force	Ground Reaction Force ( GRF) is a gait variable that has been reported to be closely associated with walking speed, severity of disease and presence of step length asymmetry in knee OA patients. GRF is determined using a frequency threshold of 20Hz, and the resultant force (measured in Newtons) will be normalized using division normalization. It is a common practice for studies evaluating GRF to normalize these forces by linear scaling them to subject's body weight, in order to allow comparison between subjects.The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
Ground Reaction Force	Ground Reaction Force ( GRF) is a gait variable that has been reported to be closely associated with walking speed, severity of disease and presence of step length asymmetry in knee OA patients. GRF is determined using a frequency threshold of 20Hz, and the resultant force (measured in Newtons) will be normalized using division normalization. It is a common practice for studies evaluating GRF to normalize these forces by linear scaling them to subject's body weight, in order to allow comparison between subjects.The participants will walk in 3 conditions. i: comfortable speed; ii: affected limb accelerated (by 30%) and iii affected limb decelerated (by 30%).	six-month follow-up
Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ)	Fear avoidance belief will be assessed using self-reported questionnaires, The Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ) Minimum：0 Maximum：99 Higher scores on the KOFBeQ indicate better health status.	pre-operative session (T1)
Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ)	Fear avoidance belief will be assessed using self-reported questionnaires, The Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ) Minimum：0 Maximum：99 Higher scores on the KOFBeQ indicate better health status.	two-weeks post-operation (T2)
Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ)	Fear avoidance belief will be assessed using self-reported questionnaires, The Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ) Minimum：0 Maximum：99 Higher scores on the KOFBeQ indicate better health status.	six-weeks post-operation(T3)
Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ)	Fear avoidance belief will be assessed using self-reported questionnaires, The Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOBeQ) Minimum：0 Maximum：99 Higher scores on the KOFBeQ indicate better health status.	six-month follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Collaborators: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital; The Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 19, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 14, 2023
• First Posted (Estimated): July 24, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): July 24, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 14, 2023
• Last Verified: July 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2021-0212

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No