Usefulness of Muscle Synergy Analysis in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis During Gait

Objective: To clarify whether there are any muscle synergy changes in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, and to determine analysis could be applied other musculoskeletal diseases. Methods: Subjects this study included 11 young controls (YC), 10 elderly (EC), osteoarthritis patients (KOA). Gait was assessed on a split-belt treadmill at 3 km/h. A non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) the electromyogram data extract synergies. assess similarity of each module, we performed NNMF assuming four modules for all participants. Further, calculated joint angles compare kinematic between module groups. Results: The number significantly lower EC (2-3) KOA groups than YC group (3-4), which reflects merging late swing early stance modules. also showed greater flexion phase. Contrarily, by focusing structure, found that is characteristic KOA. Conclusion: due co-contraction increased angle. modular structures specific may biomarkers detecting Significance: Describing multiple control associated degeneration can serve as fundamental biomarker disease.