Effect of age on partial weight-bearing training

Biofeedback devices are increasingly used to train orthopedic patients to comply with partial weight-bearing instructions for an injured or postoperative extremity. In a previous study, the authors showed that biofeedback was effective in training young participants. However, because many partial weight-bearing orthopedic patients are of advanced age, the current study was designed to test the effect of age on partial weight-bearing training. Fifty asymptomatic participants aged between 20 and 78 years completed 3 interventions: (1) verbal instructions on weight bearing, (2) training with a bathroom scale, and (3) training with a biofeedback device. Participants given only verbal touchdown weight-bearing instructions (25 lb) initially bore an average of 61.25±4.80 lb. This was reduced to 51.50±4.47 lb after training with a bathroom scale and further reduced to 30.01±2.33 lb after biofeedback training. Likewise, participants given verbal partial weight-bearing instructions (75 lb) initially bore an average of 89.06±5.58 lb. No improvement was observed with the use of a bathroom scale (average, 88.47±4.75 lb). After training with the biofeedback device, weight bearing improved to an average of 68.11±2.46 lb. Mixed-model analysis revealed that age was not a significant predictor of compliance. However, a higher body mass index and male sex were predictive of worse compliance and heavier weight bearing. Biofeedback training leads to superior compliance to weight-bearing instructions compared with verbal instructions or training with a bathroom scale. Because partial weight-bearing instructions are commonly given to orthopedic patients, biofeedback training may be appropriately considered in any age group with similar effect.