Anti-Gravity Treadmill Gait Training for Knee Osteoarthritis
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Traditional Physiotherapy Supported by Gait Re-education Using the R-Force Anti-Gravity Treadmill in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis - Randomized Clinical Trial
University of Rzeszow
80 participants
Jan 5, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Purpose: The aim of the study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional physiotherapy supported by gait re-education using the R-Force bodyweight-supported treadmill in improving gait parameters, range of motion, knee joint function, quality of life, and body composition in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study will be conducted in the form of a prospective, randomized clinical trial with participants divided into two therapeutic groups: a control group and an experimental group. The therapeutic program will last 4 weeks and will be implemented 3 times a week. Changes in gait parameters, range of motion, knee joint function, quality of life, and body composition will be evaluated.Material: The study will include patients ≥ 40 years of age with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3), confirmed radiologically, reporting pain lasting ≥ 3 months. Participants (n = 80) will be randomly assigned to the control group (conventional physiotherapy) or the experimental group (conventional physiotherapy + training on the R-Force treadmill).Methods: Participants will be assessed at three time points: before the intervention (baseline), after completing the 4-week therapeutic program (postintervention), and after 8 weeks (follow-up). The methods used will include: analysis of gait parameters on the R-Force treadmill, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, measurements of knee joint range of motion using a goniometer, thigh and lower leg circumference measurements, body composition analysis using the BIA method, subjective pain assessment using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Laitinen scale, pressure pain threshold assessment using a digital algometer, functional assessment using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaires, quality of life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), as well as assessment of periarticular structures using ultrasound.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
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Interventions
A standard program consisting of targeted physical exercises, range of motion improvements, and strength conditioning for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Traditional physiotherapy will include isometric exercises, strengthening, stretching, balance exercises (with elements of proprioception training), active non-weight-bearing exercises, functional exercises, gait exercises, as well as breathing and relaxation exercises.
Gait re-education and body-weight-supported treadmill training using the R-Force anti-gravity treadmill to reduce joint loading during exercise.
Locations(1)
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NCT07813078