Effects of gait retraining associated with muscle strengthening in knee osteoarthritis: a study protocol

Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition worldwide that leads to pain and limits daily living activities. Among the treatment approaches, gait retraining strategies have been studied in recent years, and exercise therapy is considered a core treatment for knee osteoarthritis. However, studies addressing gait retraining associated with a lower limb strengthening program are scarce. In this way, the objective of this protocol is to present a randomized clinical trial protocol that aims to investigate the effects of gait retraining in toe-out associated with knee and hip muscle strengthening and an educational program in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Fifty-six subjects will be recruited. Gait kinematics, muscle torque, and physical function via the WOMAC questionnaire will be assessed. The participants will be randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. The control group will undergo a lower limb strengthening exercises program and an osteoarthritis educational process delivered through digital audio materials. The intervention group will receive the strategies applied to the control group associated with gait retraining in toe-out.

The results of this study will show whether gait retraining adds an effect to knee osteoarthritis core treatment. In this way, it will provide physical therapists with guidance in the knee osteoarthritis treatment plan to promote clinical and biomechanical improvements.

ReBEC platform trial: RBR-4pzsfxw. Registered 09 August 2023. https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4pzsfxw.