Six-week biofeedback gait retraining programme for people with knee osteoarthritis: A randomised controlled trial

IF 1.4 3区医学 Q4 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Clinical Biomechanics Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-07 DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2026.106776

Yi Wan , Polly McGuigan , James Bilzon , Logan Wade

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Knee osteoarthritis causes pain, can limits mobility and is linked to excessive knee loading. Gait retraining with biofeedback shows promise in reducing knee loading and improving pain and function, but optimal feedback strategies remain unclear. This study compared the effects of different biofeedback-based gait retraining approaches on knee joint loading, pain and functional outcomes.

Methods

Fifty individuals with knee osteoarthritis were randomised to gait pattern feedback group, knee moment feedback group, or control group. Participants underwent a six-week programme, with activity knee pain, functional ability and biomechanical assessments conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Data were analysed using linear mixed models under an intention-to-treat approach.

Findings

All groups improved in functional ability and activity knee pain post-intervention (p < 0.001), with sustained benefits in the intervention groups (p < 0.001). Only the gait pattern group showed a lasting reduction in the 1st peak knee adduction moment during (−7.6%, p = 0.003; maintained at follow-up). No significant change in foot progression angle was observed in any group. Step width increased during stair ascent and sit-to-stand (p ≤ 0.010) and step length decreased during walking (p = 0.021) for all groups, but both changes were transient.

Interpretation

Gait retraining improves pain and function in individuals with knee OA, but gait pattern feedback uniquely reduces joint loading during walking, supporting the importance of target-specific personalised gait modifications for long-term biomechanical benefit.

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膝骨关节炎患者六周生物反馈步态再训练计划：一项随机对照试验。

背景：膝关节骨关节炎引起疼痛，可限制活动，并与过度的膝关节负荷有关。生物反馈的步态再训练在减轻膝关节负荷、改善疼痛和功能方面显示出希望，但最佳反馈策略仍不清楚。本研究比较了不同基于生物反馈的步态再训练方法对膝关节负荷、疼痛和功能结局的影响。方法：50例膝关节骨性关节炎患者随机分为步态模式反馈组、膝关节力矩反馈组和对照组。参与者进行了为期六周的计划，在基线、干预后和一个月的随访中进行了膝关节活动度、功能能力和生物力学评估。使用意向治疗方法下的线性混合模型分析数据。研究结果：所有组在干预后的功能能力和活动膝关节疼痛方面都有所改善(p)解释：步态再训练改善了膝关节OA患者的疼痛和功能，但步态模式反馈独特地减少了行走时的关节负荷，支持了针对特定目标的个性化步态修改对长期生物力学益处的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Biomechanics 医学-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

189

审稿时长

12.3 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Biomechanics is an international multidisciplinary journal of biomechanics with a focus on medical and clinical applications of new knowledge in the field. The science of biomechanics helps explain the causes of cell, tissue, organ and body system disorders, and supports clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of treatment methods and technologies. Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the links between laboratory and clinic by publishing cutting-edge biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of injury and disease, and which provides evidence contributing to improved clinical management. A rigorous peer review system is employed and every attempt is made to process and publish top-quality papers promptly. Clinical Biomechanics explores all facets of body system, organ, tissue and cell biomechanics, with an emphasis on medical and clinical applications of the basic science aspects. The role of basic science is therefore recognized in a medical or clinical context. The readership of the journal closely reflects its multi-disciplinary contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians. The contents are in the form of research papers, brief reports, review papers and correspondence, whilst special interest issues and supplements are published from time to time. Disciplines covered include biomechanics and mechanobiology at all scales, bioengineering and use of tissue engineering and biomaterials for clinical applications, biophysics, as well as biomechanical aspects of medical robotics, ergonomics, physical and occupational therapeutics and rehabilitation.