Effects of a six-week gait retraining intervention on knee load in people with medial knee osteoarthritis- A pilot study

Introduction: Gait retraining through toeing-in or toeing-out has demonstrated proportional loading effects on the knee adduction moment (KAM), a surrogate measure of load in people with medial osteoarthritis (OA). However, evidence is limited by lack randomised control trial (RCT) data that directly compares both foot progression angle (FPA) interventions over six-weeks. The aim this pilot was to identify which intervention most effective reducing early stance peak KAM, late KAM and impulse Methods: This study an assessor-blinded two-arm RCT accordance CONSORT extension for feasibility trials. Inclusion criteria were: clinically defined OA, predominantly pain ≥3/10, ability walk unaided 30 minutes. Twenty symptomatic OA were screened, assessed via three-dimensional gait analysis, receive either six-week toe-in toe-out program. goal achieve at least 10° alteration direction from baseline. Participants attended supervised sessions weekly performed daily minutes self-practice home period, recording logbook. Our relevant protocol incorporated behavioural change principles such as education, motivational-interviewing, faded-feedback training variety outdoor terrains. Linear mixed modelling used evaluate effect Results: At follow-up, 14 out 19 participants returned assessment. Preliminary analyses demontrated increase groups. group non-significant reduction KAM. target FPA (≥10°) not achieved week six Discussion: Neither had any significant variables. As groups did required biomechanical effect, full-scale should consider 15-20° maintain ≥10°. Perhaps ineffective individual preference also be considered- may suitable one individual, whereas others prefer gait, resulting different effects. An assessment baseline range motion warranted, account difficulty achieving intervention. Unlike other studies, our final separate laboratory sessions, avoid response bias. Impact application field: first compare period previous studies have only compared against usual-care walking A warranted confirm these unexpected findings. more participant specific, based individual’s capacity progress/regress. Conflict interest: My co-authors I acknowledge we no conflict interest relevance submission abstract.