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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Apr 12:17:161.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-1021-z.

Effect of retro and forward walking on quadriceps muscle strength, pain, function, and mobility in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Ahmad Alghadir  1 , Shahnawaz Anwer  2   3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of retro and forward walking on quadriceps muscle strength, pain, function, and mobility in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Ahmad Alghadir et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Walking, a closed kinetic chain (CKC) activity, is widely used in knee rehabilitation as it allows early weight bearing and movement. It has been suggested that retro-walking may provide additional benefits beyond those experienced by forward-walking. The present study will investigate the effect of retro- and forward-walking on quadriceps muscle strength, pain, function, balance and mobility in knee Osteoarthritis (OA) subjects.

Methods/design: Sixty-nine participants with knee OA will be recruited from the outpatient department in this randomized controlled trial. The participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups; retro walking, forward walking or control group. The training program will be 3 days/week for 6 weeks. In addition, all the participants will receive a standard physiotherapy training program. An independent assessor blinded to group assignment will measure quadriceps muscle strength, knee pain intensity, functional disability, and mobility at baseline and 6 weeks after training.

Discussion: The results of this study will enhance our understanding on the therapeutic effects of walking (retro- or forward-walking) in knee OA. The findings from this study will help determine whether retro- or forward-walking or both are effective in the rehabilitation of subjects with knee OA.

Trial registration: Controlled Trials ISRCTN12850845, Registered 26 January 2015.

Keywords: Exercise; Knee; Osteoarthritis; Walking.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow of participants through each stage of the randomized trial
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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