Effects of lower body positive pressure treadmill on functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial study

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Knee joint pain and stiffness are the two main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and thus restrict a patient’s activities, such as walking and walking up and downstairs. The lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill as one of the emerging body weight support system devices brings new hope for exercise-related rehabilitation for knee OA patients.

AIM

To investigate the biomechanical effects and the subjective clinical assessment of LBPP treadmill walking exercise when compared with conventional therapy in mild to moderate knee OA patients.

METHODS

Eighteen patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA were recruited in this randomized controlled trial (RCT) study. The eligible knee OA patients were randomly assigned to two groups: LBPP and control groups. The patients in the LBPP group performed an LBPP walking training program for 30 min/session per day, 6 d per week for 2 wk whereas the patients in the control group performed walking on the ground for the same amount. All patients underwent clinical assessments and three-dimensional gait analysis at pre- and 2-wk post-treatment.

RESULTS

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and visual analog scale scores in both the LBPP group and control group were found to decrease significantly at the post-treatment point than the pre-treatment point (LBPP: 70.25 ± 13.93 vs 40.50 ± 11.86; 3.88 ± 0.99 vs 1.63 ± 0.52; control: 69.20 ± 8.88 vs 48.10 ± 8.67; 3.80 ± 0.79 vs 2.60 ± 0.70, P < 0.001). Moreover, compared with the control group, the LBPP group showed more improvements in walking speed (P = 0.007), stride length (P = 0.037), and knee range of motion (P = 0.048) during walking, which represented more improvement in walking ability.

CONCLUSION

The results of our RCT study showed that the LBPP group has a greater effect on improving gait parameters than the conventional group, although there was no significant advantage in clinical assessment. This finding indicates that LBPP treadmill walking training might be an effective approach for alleviating pain symptoms and improving lower extremity locomotion in mild to moderate knee OA patients.

Key Words: Lower body positive pressure; Three-dimensional gait analysis; Walking training; Rehabilitation; Knee osteoarthritis

Core Tip: To our best knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial focusing on lower body positive pressure (LBPP) training in knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation. Both subjective clinical assessment and objective biomechanical assessments were used in this study. The LBPP group showed more improvements in pain relief and gait improvement than the conventional group. LBPP treadmill exercise training could be considered an effective approach for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common rheumatic disease, primarily affects the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone of a synovial joint and eventually results in joint failure[1]. Knee joint pain and stiffness are the two main symptoms of knee OA and thus restrict a patient’s activities, such as walking and walking up and down stairs. Usually, pain limits the patient’s ability to move, and the reduction in lower extremity activity will exacerbate the decline of joint muscle function thus producing a vicious cycle. Ways to help the patient recover lower limb joint activity to the maximum possible level become the key to breaking this vicious cycle[2]. Numerous international clinical practice guidelines of knee OA provide growing evidence to support exercise as a form of management of non-pharmacological interventions for knee OA patients[2-4]. Previous studies report exercise has similar management-related effects as seen with analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but without contraindications or side effects[5,6].

As one of the emerging body weight support system devices, a lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill brings new hope for exercise-related rehabilitation for knee OA patients[7]. The system uses a sealed inflatable positive pressure chamber at a waist-high level to achieve accurate weight support of the lower extremities (20%-100% in 1% increments) to reduce knee pressure and pain related to the pathology of osteophyte formation and joint cavity stenosis[8,9]. The clinical effect of LBPP in knee OA clinical rehabilitation was affirmed[10-12], but the relative mechanism of biomechanical influence on the rehabilitation of lower limb function in knee OA patients is not yet clear. Moreover, to our best knowledge, there are no randomized controlled trials (RCT) focusing on LBPP training effects on knee OA rehabilitation, and only several studies use subjective clinical assessments[13]. Thus, the purpose of our RCT study was to investigate the biomechanical effects and the subjective clinical assessment of LBPP treadmill walking exercise when compared with conventional therapy in mild to moderate knee OA patients. We hypothesized that both LBPP training and conventional training could improve the clinical symptoms and gait parameters of knee OA, but the LBPP group might have a more significant effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patient recruitment

All the subjects were recruited from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from July 2017 to July 2019. The inclusion criteria consisted of knee OA diagnosis based on the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology in 2001: (1) Subjects aged 50-years-old to 75-years-old; (2) Conformed with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II or III[14] of knee joint OA; (3) Without plans to take any pain killers during this inpatient point; (4) Without cognitive and comprehension impairment following a mini-mental state examination > 26 points; and (5) Signed informed consent. The exclusion criteria consisted of several parameters: (1) Unstable vital signs (i.e. high blood pressure and tachycardia), combined with heart, brain, blood vessel, spirit, liver, kidney, and other serious diseases that affect daily activities; (2) Combined with knee joint tuberculosis, tumors, and other diseases that affect knee function; (3) Combined with rheumatism, gout, severe osteoporosis, and other diseases that affect joint pain and lower limb mobility; (4) Cannot tolerate the experiment; and/or (5) Refused to sign the informed consent. In the cases of bilateral knee OA, the more symptomatic knee was designated as the affected knee. The participant was instructed to base their responses on only the affected knee for the purpose of pre- and post-assessments[15].

Study design

This study was designed as a prospective, single-center, randomized pilot study. This study was registered at the China Clinical Trial Registration Centre (No. ChiCTR 1800017677) and approved by the Medical Ethics Association of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (No. KY01-2018-10-18).

Interventions

The eligible knee OA patients were randomly assigned to two groups based on the computer-generated random numbers list (LBPP group and control group). The entire training session was supervised by a trained physiotherapist for guidance and safety. The patients in the LBPP group (experimental treatment group) performed an LBPP walking training program (provided using AlterG M320 Antigravity Treadmill, California, USA) for 30 min/session/day, 6 d/week for 2 wk, which was based on our previous study[11]. The LBPP walking protocol included 20 min walking stage (speed = 1.5–2.0 mph, BW = 65%, Incline = 0%) and 10 min warm-up and cooling down stage at the beginning and ending of the session (Figure 1B). The patients were allowed to use handrails during LBPP treadmill training to help them keep their balance. Before the LBPP walking training, the physiotherapist checked the patient’s blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) using an electronic blood pressure monitor (Omron-U10L, Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd., China) to make sure the patient was in optimum condition for exercise (60 bpm ≤ HR ≤ 120 bpm and 90/60 mmHg ≤ BP ≤ 160/100 mmHg). When the patient stood into the LBPP treadmill, the calculation would be run automatically before training started. And during the LBPP walking training, the safety lanyard supplied with the LBPP treadmill should be attached to the patient’s clothing for emergency stops during the training process in case the patient falls or does not feel well (Figure 1A). The patients in the control group (conventional treatment group) performed walking on the indoor ground at a self-selected speed for 30 min/session per day, 6 d per week for 2 wk. The control group (conventional treatment group) performed walking on the indoor ground at a self-selected speed for 30 min/session per day, 6 d per week for 2 wk. Each walking session consisted of 5-min walking and 5-min seated rest for 3 cycles. Moreover, during walking, the physical therapist guided the patient to keep the range of motion of the knee joint at 0-15° to make the heel fully contact the ground. The patients were allowed to use any assistive device (i.e. canes, crutches, and walkers) during walking to help them keep balance. Each group (LBPP group and control group) understood that they would complete 12 sessions for the total amount using the same venue. Meanwhile, both groups maintained the same amount of conventional physiotherapy and manual therapy daily based on the clinical guidelines of knee OA[2].

Figure 1 The lower body positive pressure setting. A: The basic lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill setting for walking training; B: The LBPP training protocol. LBPP: Lower body positive pressure; BW: Body weight; mph: Miles per hour.

Assessments

All patients underwent clinical assessments and gait analysis at pre- and 2-wk post-treatment time points. The assessment method was based on our previous study[11]. Lower limb function and mobility for knee OA patients were measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) with five items for pain, two items for stiffness, and 17 functional items[16]. Total scores range from 0 (complete disability) to 100 (no disability). Subjective pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain). The active knee joint range-of-motion (AROM) was measured using a handheld 2-arm goniometer[17]. Independence in activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed by modified Barthel index[18] and total scores range from 0 (complete dependent) to 100 (complete independent). Gait analysis was performed using the BTS Smart DX 7000 (Bioengineering Technology System, Milan, Italy). Twenty-two spherical markers were positioned bilaterally on the patient’s anatomical landmarks based on the Davis protocol[19]. The patients were instructed to stand straight for 30 sec, which represented the standing phase, and then walk with a self-selected speed along the walkway five times as the walking phase. Temporo-spatial parameters and knee flexion/extension trajectory in the gait cycle were recorded and included in statistical analysis. Calibration of the gait analysis system was performed by the designated lab member every week to make sure data acquisition was accurate. The primary outcomes were gait parameters, which were used to evaluate gait performance/ walking ability. The second outcomes were clinical assessment scales, which were used to represent symptom improvement.

To calculate the statistical power, we set the standardized difference of the primary outcome (gait velocity) to be equal to 0.2, and the dropout rate to be equal to 20%[20]. The sample size for each group should be more than nine.

Statistical analysis

All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 25.0 software. Parametric data were presented as means ± SD if normally distributed or median if not. Counting and grade data were presented as ratios. Baseline characteristics and post-treatment outcome measures between groups were compared using independent t-tests. Pre- and post-treatment outcome measures within the group were compared using the paired-t-test. Measurement data that do not conform to the normal distribution and the uniformity of variance were compared using the nonparametric rank-sum Mann-Whitney U test. The test level was statistically significant at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of twenty patients, of whom ten were allocated into the LBPP group and ten were allocated into the control group, were screened for this study. Two patients in the LBPP group were discharged early for family reasons and nobody was dropped out because of intolerance for the whole process (Figure 2). The basic characteristics of the patients in each group are displayed in Table 1. The mean age of each group was 59.63 ± 8.40-years-old in the LBPP group vs 58.30 ± 8.54-years-old in the control group. The body mass index (BMI) was 23.24 ± 0.85 in the LBPP group vs 23.02 ± 1.37 in the control group. The baseline Kellgren-Lawrence grade was 2.25 ± 0.45 in the LBPP group vs 2.30 ± 0.48 in the control group. No significant differences in age, BMI, gender ratio, and Kellgren-Lawrence grade at baseline between the two groups were noted.

Figure 2 Flow schematic of the study. OA: Osteoarthritis; GZMU: Guangzhou Medical University; LBPP: Lower body positive pressure.

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of recruited patients.

Characteristic	LBPP group (n = 8)	Conventional group (n = 10)	P value
Age (yr)	59.63 ± 8.40	58.30 ± 8.54	0.746
Sex (male/female)	3/7	2/6	1.000
Height (cm)	162.25 ± 5.23	162.80 ± 5.12	0.825
Weight (kg)	61.25 ± 4.57	61.11 ± 6.07	0.958
BMI (kg/m2)	23.24 ± 0.85	23.02 ± 1.37	0.178
Duration of symptoms (mo)	68.13 ± 14.60	63.40 ± 15.00	0.983
Affected knee (left/right)	3/5	4/6	1.000
Kellgren-Lawrence Grade (Grade 2/Grade 3)	6/8	7/3	0.897

There were no significant differences between lower body positive pressure group and conventional group. BMI: Body mass index; LBPP: Lower body positive pressure.

The comparison results of clinical assessments are shown within-group (pre-treatment vs post-treatment) or between two groups (LBPP group vs control group) in Table 2 and Figure 3. No significant differences in WOMAC, VAS, Knee AROM flex-extension, or ADL at baseline (pre-treatment timepoint) between the two groups were noted. For comparisons within-group between pre- and post-treatment, WOMAC scores of patients in both groups were found to decrease significantly in the post-treatment timepoint (LBPP group: 70.25 ± 13.93 vs 40.50 ± 11.86, P < 0.001; control group: 69.20 ± 8.88 vs 48.10 ± 8.67, P < 0.001), VAS scores of the patients in both groups were found to have decreased significantly in the post-treatment point (LBPP group: 3.88 ± 0.99 vs 1.63 ± 0.52, P < 0.001; control group: 3.80 ± 0.79 vs 2.60 ± 0.70, P < 0.001), and knee AROM flex-extension of the patients in both groups were found to have increased significantly in the post-treatment point (LBPP group: 112.50 ± 10.13 vs 119.88 ± 8.71, P < 0.001; control group: 110.00 ± 7.69 vs 115.70 ± 7.50, P < 0.001). For comparisons of post-treatment parameters among groups between the LBPP group and the control group, VAS scores were significantly decreased more in the LBPP group than the control group (1.63 ± 0.52 in the LBPP group vs 2.60 ± 0.70 in the control group, P < 0.01).

Figure 3 Comparison of clinical assessment parameters within group (between pre- and post-treatment) and among groups (between lower body positive pressure group and control group). A: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (scores); B: Activity of daily living (scores); C: Visual analogue scale (scores); D: Keen active joint range of motion flex-extension (degrees). ^b0.001 ≤ P < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001. LBPP: Lower body positive pressure; WOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index; VAS: Visual analogue scale; AROM: Active joint range of motion; ADL: Activity of daily living.

Table 2 Comparisons of clinical assessment parameters within group (between pre- and post-treatment) and among groups (between lower body positive pressure group and conventional group).

	LBPP group		Conventional group		P1 value	P2 value	P3 value	P4 value
	Pre-treatment	Post-treatment	Pre-treatment	Post-treatment
WOMAC (scores)	70.25 ± 13.93	40.50 ± 11.86	69.20 ± 8.88	48.10 ± 8.67	< 0.001	< 0.001	0.848	0.135
VAS (scores)	3.88 ± 0.99	1.63 ± 0.52	3.80 ± 0.79	2.60 ± 0.70	< 0.001	< 0.001	0.860	0.005
Knee AROM (degree)	112.50 ± 10.13	119.88 ± 8.71	110.00 ± 7.69	115.70 ± 7.50	< 0.001	< 0.001	0.559	0.290
ADL (scores)	92.50 ± 5.98	94.38 ± 5.63	91.50 ± 4.74	93.00 ± 4.22	0.197	0.081	0.697	0.561

¹Stands for comparison within lower body positive pressure (LBPP) group between pre-treatment and post-treatment.

²Stands for comparison within conventional group between pre-treatment and post-treatment.

³Stands for comparison among groups for pre-treatment between LBPP group and conventional group.

⁴Stands for comparison among groups for post-treatment between LBPP group and Conventional group.

LBPP: Lower body positive pressure; WOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index; VAS: Visual analogue scale; AROM: Active joint range of motion; ADL: Activity of daily living.

The comparison results of gait spatial-temporal parameters are shown within-group (pre- vs post-treatment) or between two groups (LBPP vs control group) in Table 3 and Figure 4. No significant differences in stance phase, swing phase, mean velocity, cadence, stride length, step width, and knee flex-extension during walking at baseline (pre-treatment timepoint) between the two groups were noted. For comparisons within group between pre- and post-treatment, stance phase (%) in LBPP group was found increased significantly at the post-treatment timepoint (55.11 ± 3.13 vs 57.31 ± 2.39, P < 0.001), swing phase (%) in both groups were found decreased significantly at the post-treatment timepoint (LBPP group: 44.89 ± 3.13 vs 42.67 ± 2.39, P < 0.001; control group: 45.52 ± 3.35 vs 44.28 ± 2.60, P < 0.001), mean velocity (%height/s) in both groups were found increased significantly at the post-treatment timepoint (LBPP group: 57.64 ± 2.10 vs 64.28 ± 3.64, P < 0.001; control group: 57.72 ± 3.84 vs 59.33 ± 3.17, P < 0.001), cadence (steps/min) in LBPP group was found increased significantly at the post-treatment timepoint (106.76 ± 3.22 vs 110.10 ± 2.84, P = 0.002), stride length (m) in both groups were found increased significantly at the post-treatment timepoint (LBPP group: 0.46 ± 0.03 vs 0.50 ± 0.18, P < 0.001; control group: 0.47 ± 0.02 vs 0.48 ± 0.23, P = 0.025), and knee flex-extension (degrees) in LBPP group was found increased significantly at the post-treatment timepoint (66.14 ± 5.43 vs 72.34 ± 5.38, P = 0.004). For comparisons of post-treatment parameters among groups between LBPP group and control group, mean velocity was significantly increased more in LBPP group than control group (64.28 ± 3.64 in LBPP group vs 59.33 ± 3.17 in control group, P = 0.007), cadence was significantly increased more in LBPP group than control group (110.10 ± 2.84 in LBPP group vs 105.36 ± 3.58 in the control group, P = 0.008), stride length was significantly increased more in LBPP group than control group (0.50 ± 0.18 in LBPP group vs 0.48 ± 0.23 in control group, P = 0.037), and knee flex-extension was significantly increased more in LBPP group than control group (72.34 ± 5.38 in LBPP group vs 66.89 ± 5.33 in control group, P = 0.048).

Figure 4 Comparison of spatiotemporal parameters within group (between pre- and post-treatment) and among groups (between lower body positive pressure group and control group). A: Stance phase in gait cycle (%); B: Swing phase in gait cycle (%); C: Mean velocity (%height/s); D: Cadence (steps/min); E: Stride length (%height); F: Step width (m). ^a0.01 ≤ P < 0.05, ^b0.001 ≤ P < 0.01, and ^cP < 0.001. LBPP: Lower body positive pressure.

Table 3 Comparison of spatiotemporal parameters within group (between pre- and post-treatment) and among groups (between lower body positive pressure group and control group).

	LBPP group		Control group			P1 value	P2 value	P3 value	P4 value
	Pre-treatment	Post-treatment		Pre-treatment	Post-treatment
Stance phase (%)	55.11 ± 3.13	57.31 ± 2.39		54.49 ± 3.35	55.72 ± 2.60	0.001	0.096	0.690	0.201
Swing phase (%)	44.89 ± 3.13	42.69 ± 2.39		45.52 ± 3.35	44.28 ± 2.60	< 0.001	< 0.001	0.690	0.197
Mean velocity(%height/s)	57.64 ± 2.10	64.28 ± 3.64		57.72 ± 3.84	59.33 ± 3.17	< 0.001	< 0.001	0.958	0.007
Cadence (steps/min)	106.76 ± 3.22	110.10 ± 2.84		104.46 ± 4.35	105.36 ± 3.58	0.002	0.141	0.233	0.008
Stride length (m)	0.46 ± 0.03	0.50 ± 0.18		0.47 ± 0.02	0.48 ± 0.23	0.001	0.025	0.399	0.037
Step width (m)	0.15 ± 0.01	0.15 ± 0.01		0.15 ± 0.01	0.15 ± 0.00	0.080	0.343	0.753	0.854
Knee flex-extension (Degree)	66.14 ± 5.43	72.34 ± 5.38		66.40 ± 5.26	66.89 ± 5.33	0.004	0.400	0.919	0.048

¹Stands for comparison within lower body positive pressure (LBPP) group between pre-treatment and post-treatment.

²Stands for comparison within control group between pre-treatment and post-treatment.

³Stands for comparison among groups for pre-treatment between LBPP group and control group.

⁴Stands for comparison among groups for post-treatment between LBPP group and control group.

LBPP: Lower body positive pressure.

DISCUSSION

Our study was designed as an RCT with the aim of studying an LBPP treadmill exercising training program for mild to moderate knee OA patients. We found patients in the LBPP group demonstrated more pain alleviation and improved walking ability after the intervention compared with patients in the conventionally treated group although both groups showed some improvement in clinical parameters (WOMAC, VAS, and knee active ROM) and gait parameters after their interventions. Moreover, more improvements in the LBPP group when compared with the control group with respect to walking speed, stride length, and knee ROM during walking represented improved walking ability. In addition, aquatic therapy research has proved the short-term benefits for patients with knee OA, but the high requirement of equipment limited the application.

Exercise improves the symptoms of knee OA, a finding which confirmed that pain relief was obtained with exercise[1]. However, due to the lack of relevant RCT-derived LBPP data in previous studies, it is difficult to determine whether the rehabilitative effects of LBPP for knee OA originate from the exercise effect itself or whether it has its own advantages over conventional exercise training. Thus, our study addresses this gap. In our RCT study, the LBPP group and groups both presented post-treatment improvements in WOMAC, VAS, and knee active ROM scores. Moreover, the LBPP group presented more advantages with respect to VAS relief when compared with the control group, which could be related to biomechanical changes caused by the weight support brought about by the LBPP positive pressure inflation chamber. In addition, the LBPP and control groups did not present improvements in ADL, which may be due to the “ceiling effect” of recruited patients in our study, that is to say, the knee OA patients included in this study had relatively high daily pre-treatment life activities.

The patients in both groups demonstrated improved gait function in mean velocity and stride length, whereas only the patients in the LBPP group demonstrated gait pattern changes after LBPP intervention (stance phase increased, and swing phase decreased). Previous studies presented the standing phase of affected side increased might be related to the pain released. Meanwhile, the LBPP treadmill proved useful for reducing pressure across the entire foot in normal subjects while running[21]. Previous studies have also indicated that the effects of LBPP cause an increase in the reduction of the peak joint force on the knee joint[11]. Based on this finding, we have reason to infer that the knee pressure on the mechanical chain would be reduced accordingly, which might be crucial for knee OA patients undergoing rehabilitation.

The LBPP group also demonstrated an improvement in knee flex-extension during walking both within-group (pre-and post-treatment comparisons) and among the two groups (compared with the control group). Active knee ROM improvements might be more associated with stiffness and pain alleviation, which is also consistent with the clinical assessment findings in our study. Previous research has suggested that physical activity within a certain range most likely promotes the growth and maintenance of knee cartilage, ligaments, and bones in addition to strengthening muscles in order to appropriately distribute loads across the joint[22,23]. Meanwhile, the improvement in knee joint mobility might be related to the restoration of lower limb muscle strength after exercise[1]. Our previous study also found that after LBPP training, lower extremity muscle activity increased[10]. Increased muscle strength may cause a decrease in joint loading rates or localized stress in the articular cartilage, thereby playing an important role in pain reduction and physical function improvement of knee OA[8]. Although previous studies on aquatic therapy proved the short-term benefits for patients with knee OA on the similar improved functional aspects, the high requirement of equipment limited the application.

Finally, we need to point out that all of the recruited patients in both groups were satisfied with the program and showed no side effects associated with the training program, which further supports the application of LBPP training in KOA rehabilitation from a clinical perspective. Our study results from the LBPP assistant intervention for knee OA patients may also reduce the burden of the physical therapist and increase cost-effectiveness than conventional training.

Limitations

There are several limitations to this RCT study. Our LBPP protocol was a 2-wk intensive inpatient training program focusing on the small sample size of inpatients due to health care policies in China, restrictions of the inclusion criteria (such as unilateral knee joint symptoms as the chief complaint and without the use of any pain killers during this study) and three-dimensional gait analysis application. Future studies should recruit more patients with the aim of observing the long-term effects of LBPP on knee OA and exploring changes at the anatomical level in addition to a personalized weight-support LBPP program for each patient.

CONCLUSION

The result of our RCT study showed that the LBPP group has a greater effect on improving gait parameters than the conventional group, although there was no significant advantage in clinical assessment. This finding indicates that LBPP treadmill exercise training could be considered an effective approach for alleviating pain symptoms and improving lower extremity locomotion in mild to moderate knee OA patients.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

Knee joint pain and stiffness are the two main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and thus restrict a patient’s activities, such as walking and walking up and downstairs.

Research motivation

The lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmill as one of the emerging body weight support system devices brings new hope for exercise-related rehabilitation for knee OA patients.

Research objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effects and the subjective clinical assessment of LBPP tread mill walking exercise when compared with conventional therapy in mild to moderate knee OA patients.

Research methods

The eligible 18 knee OA patients were randomly assigned to two groups: LBPP and control groups. All patients underwent clinical assessments and three-dimensional gait analysis at pre- and 2-wk post-treatment.

Research results

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and visual analog scale scores in both the LBPP group and control group were found to decrease significantly at the post-treatment point than the pre-treatment point. Moreover, compared with the control group, the LBPP group showed more improvements in walking speed, stride length, and knee range of motion during walking, which represented more improvement in walking ability.

Research conclusions

The results showed that the LBPP group has a greater effect on improving gait parameters than the conventional group, although there was no significant advantage in clinical assessment.

Research perspectives

This finding indicates that LBPP treadmill walking training might be an effective approach for alleviating pain symptoms and improving lower extremity locomotion in mild to moderate knee OA patients.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author thanks graduate students Yi-Sha Liu, Shao-Ming Xu, Dong-Qin Huang, Pei-Xi Lian, and Yuan-Lu Zhang (Guangzhou Medical University) for data collection. The author also thanks Dr. Qiang Lin and Dr. Jun-Jie Liang for methodology guidance.