Evaluation of gait cycle time variability in patients with knee osteoarthritis using a triaxial accelerometer

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis can alter gait variability. However, few studies have compared the temporal factors of the gait cycle between patients with knee osteoarthritis and healthy subjects. Furthermore, no studies have investigated the relationship between gait variability and potential contributing factors (knee joint functions such as muscle strength) in knee osteoarthritis. The first objective of this study was to compare gait cycle variability between female patients with knee osteoarthritis and healthy elderly women to determine gait characteristics in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The second objective was to examine whether gait cycle variability in knee osteoarthritis is associated with potential contributing factors. Twenty-four female patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and 12 healthy elderly women participated. Gait cycle variability (coefficient of variation of gait cycle time), knee extension range of motion, knee extension strength, 5-meter walk test, Timed Up & Go Test, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index were measured. All assessment results were compared between the knee osteoarthritis and healthy groups. Gait cycle variability was significantly higher in the knee osteoarthritis group (3.2%) compared to the healthy group (2.1%). A significant positive correlation was found between the gait cycle variability and 5-meter walk test (r=0.46) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (r=0.43). The gait of patients with knee osteoarthritis may be more unstable than that of healthy individuals. In addition, unstable gait may be associated with gait speed and quality of life. Therefore, we believe that rehabilitation to improve unstable gait can enhance the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Low Correlation between Gait and Quality of Life in Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis

“…The progression of the disease may lead to irreversible bone destruction and deformity. This usually results in a worsening of symptoms that have a distinctive and direct influence on multiple factors that affect the physical and mental well-being of the individual, such as gait and quality of life (QoL) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…This often translates to a lower walking speed and stride length while maintaining a relatively stable cadence, which become more evident as the condition worsens, which can lead to decreased mobility and lower functional performance. These gait parameters are considered predictors of the overall health status and life expectancy of patients, and with the development of more reliable, accessible, and user-friendly analytical systems, they can be easily measured during clinical practice [ 1 , 2 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”