Association of fear of falling with acceleration-derived gait indices in older adults with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and fear of falling (FoF) are important factors contributing to trunk oscillation during walking. It is of a clinical importance to clarify the association of FoF with trunk oscillation during walking in older adults with knee OA (knee OA adults).

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of FoF with trunk oscillation during walking in knee OA adults.

Methods: Forty-one patients who met the criteria participated in the study and were classified into two groups based on their answer to a question on FoF. An accelerometer was attached at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) and the seventh cervical vertebra (C7), and the accelerations at L3 and C7 were measured during a 10-m gait test. Using these data, the acceleration-derived gait indices, such as stride time variability (STV), root mean square (RMS), and autocorrelation at the trunk in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions, were computed.

Results: FoF was associated with a higher STV value and a smaller RMS value in the ML direction at L3.

Discussion: The decreased trunk oscillation in the ML direction in knee OA adults with FoF may reflect a positive, compensatory adaptation for trunk control.

Conclusion: Knee OA adults with FoF decreased trunk oscillation during walking than those without FoF.

Keywords: Fear of falling; Knee osteoarthritis; Trunk oscillation.