Movement Retraining for Osteoarthritis

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byScott L Delp, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Stanford University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This study investigates how well individuals with knee osteoarthritis can learn to alter their calf muscle activation using haptic biofeedback while walking and evaluates how these changes affect knee loading. Prior research has utilized musculoskeletal simulations to determine that reducing the activation of one of the calf muscles, the gastrocnemius, can have a large impact on reducing knee loading. However, this has not been tested in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. In this study, participants will be trained to alter the activation of their gastrocnemius muscle, by receiving haptic feedback after each step. The feedback will indicate how the participant changed their muscle activation relative to baseline. Participants will train for up to three sessions, with 30 minutes of walking with feedback in each session. If a participant can learn to adjust their muscle activation in the first training session, they will be able to complete the second training session. An exploratory third session may be conducted to investigate changes in knee loading while using the new walking strategy during over-ground walking. The movement data collected during the training sessions will be used as inputs to computer simulations of the musculoskeletal system to determine if walking with the new muscle activation strategy reduces knee loading.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with knee osteoarthritis who are capable of walking and interested in learning a new way to walk that might reduce stress on their knees. Participants should be able to attend up to three training sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

My joint wear is mild to moderate.

I have had knee arthritis for at least 6 months.

I can walk without any help or devices.

+3 more

Exclusion Criteria

Body mass index equal to or greater than 35

Pregnant

I have a nerve or muscle disease that makes it hard for me to walk.

+7 more

Participant Groups

The study tests if people with knee osteoarthritis can learn to use less calf muscle (specifically the gastrocnemius) while walking, using haptic feedback. It checks whether this new walking strategy reduces the load on their knees.

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Gait modificationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will learn to change muscle coordination while walking through real-time haptic biofeedback based on the activation of the gastrocnemius muscle