Accelerometer-Based Step Regularity Is Lower in Older Adults with Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Gerontology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent condition affecting older adults, often impacting mobility and quality of life.
• Gait analysis provides objective measures of movement patterns, crucial for understanding functional limitations in conditions like knee OA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare gait regularity and symmetry between older adults with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy controls.
• To investigate sex-specific differences in gait parameters between the groups.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 15 older adults with knee OA and 15 healthy controls underwent a 9-minute walk test.
• Gait parameters, including step and stride regularity and symmetry, were analyzed using a waist-mounted tri-axial accelerometer and an autocorrelation procedure.
• Analysis focused on vertical, mediolateral, and anteroposterior directions of acceleration.

Main Results:

• Individuals with knee OA showed significantly reduced step regularity in vertical and anteroposterior directions compared to controls.
• Females with knee OA exhibited significantly less mediolateral step regularity than female controls; no such difference was observed in males.

Conclusions:

• Bilateral knee OA is associated with less consistent gait step patterns compared to age-matched healthy adults.
• Findings suggest further research into the interplay of step regularity, sex, and movement direction in knee OA, with potential for clinical assessment applications.