Effects of gait intervention using the draw-in maneuver on knee joint function and the thoracic kyphosis angle in knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate whether the knee adduction moment (KAM) could be reduced by a short instruction in the Draw-in (DI) maneuver in healthy adults, and whether knee joint function would improve with a longer DI gait intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). MethodIn Study 1, healthy adults received 10 minutes supervised instruction in DI gait in and then practiced the gait independently for 10 minutes. Three-dimensional motion analysis measurement was performed in each phase. In Study 2, patients with OA performed a 20-minute DI gait intervention daily for 6 weeks. At baseline and after 6 weeks, knee pain, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, the MOS 8 item Short-Form Health Survey, thoracic kyphosis angle, knee joint range of motion, knee extension muscle strength, hip abduction muscle strength, and activity level were evaluated. ResultsIn Study 1, the DI gait to decrease KAM could be learning following only 10 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes of self-practice in healthy adults. In Study 2, knee pain was reduced by 19 % and the thoracic kyphosis angle was reduced by 2.6° after 6 weeks. No significant changes in other parameters were detected, and the implementation rate was 86 ± 14 %. SignificanceIn healthy adults, DI gait instruction for 10 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes of self-practice reduced the KAM. In patients with knee OA, 20 minutes of DI gait per day for 6 weeks may reduce knee pain and thoracic kyphosis.