The Effect of Backward Gait Training Protocol on Spatial, Temporal, and Distance Gait Parameters of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

The link between biomechanical parameters and backward gait training protocol in association with knee osteoarthritis is not well understood. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the effect of backward gait training protocol on spatial-temporal-distance gait parameters in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.

Twenty-one healthy males and 42 patients with medial knee osteoarthritis participated in this study. Patients were divided into two equal groups, namely experimental and control, according to the Kellgren-Lawrence index and the visual analog scale. The experimental group performed a six-week backward gait training protocol. A Vicon T-Series camera system was used to evaluate the 3-D motion of spatial-temporal-distance gait parameters. Paired t-test and ANOVA were applied for data analyses (p≤0.05).

Both osteoarthritis patient groups before training protocol had prolonged stride time (p=0.05, p=0.045) and slower walking speed (p=0.016, p=0.013) compared to the healthy subjects. The retro-gait training protocol reduced stride time (P=0.376) and increased walking speed (P= 0.093) in the experimental group compared with the healthy group. However, a significant difference was maintained between stride time (P = 0.445) and speed (P = 0.016) in the healthy and control groups after training.

According to the results of this study, backward gait training protocol had a significant effect on stride time and walking speed in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, it appears that reducing stride time and walking speed can change the gait pattern and possibly decrease the load on the knee in patients with knee osteoarthritis.