Movement Retraining for Osteoarthritis
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a new method to help individuals with knee osteoarthritis reduce knee stress by altering calf muscle use during walking. Participants receive feedback while walking to adjust muscle movements, a process known as gait retraining. Researchers aim to determine if these changes can lower knee strain. This trial is open to those who have had knee osteoarthritis for at least six months, can walk unaided for an hour, and typically experience mild pain (4 or less on a scale of 0 to 10). As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance knee health for many.
Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that this gait retraining is safe for individuals with knee osteoarthritis?
Research shows that changing walking patterns can safely help people with knee osteoarthritis. One study found that participants who adjusted their walking style experienced a 4% decrease in knee stress. This suggests that altering walking habits might reduce knee pain and slow joint damage. Another study found that customizing walking style can relieve pain as effectively as medication, without the use of drugs.
No major issues have been reported in these studies, making gait retraining a promising and well-tolerated option for managing knee osteoarthritis. While the current trial tests new methods, previous research supports its safety.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Unlike traditional treatments for osteoarthritis, which often involve medications like NSAIDs or invasive procedures such as joint injections and surgery, gait retraining focuses on altering the way a person walks. This method is unique because it uses real-time haptic biofeedback to help participants change their muscle coordination, specifically targeting the gastrocnemius muscle. Researchers are excited about this approach because it offers a non-invasive, drug-free option that aims to address the root cause of pain and improve mobility by retraining movement patterns, potentially reducing the need for medications and their associated side effects.
What evidence suggests that this gait retraining is effective for knee osteoarthritis?
Research shows that altering walking patterns can benefit people with knee osteoarthritis. In this trial, participants will undergo gait modification, learning to change muscle coordination while walking through real-time haptic biofeedback. Studies have found that personalizing walking styles can slow cartilage damage and relieve pain, similar to medications. One study discovered that even small changes in walking reduced knee stress by 4%. Another study showed that altering walking techniques could reduce knee pain by 35%. These findings suggest that learning new walking methods through feedback can help lower knee stress and pain for those with osteoarthritis.23456
Who Is on the Research Team?
Scott L Delp, PhD
Principal Investigator
Stanford University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with knee osteoarthritis who are capable of walking and interested in learning a new way to walk that might reduce stress on their knees. Participants should be able to attend up to three training sessions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Training
Participants are trained to alter the activation of their gastrocnemius muscle using haptic feedback while walking. Training occurs in up to two sessions in the lab or one session outside the lab.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in knee loading and muscle activation after training
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Gait retraining
Trial Overview
The study tests if people with knee osteoarthritis can learn to use less calf muscle (specifically the gastrocnemius) while walking, using haptic feedback. It checks whether this new walking strategy reduces the load on their knees.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants will learn to change muscle coordination while walking through real-time haptic biofeedback based on the activation of the gastrocnemius muscle
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Stanford University
Lead Sponsor
Citations
1.
news.stanford.edu
news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/08/gait-retraining-knee-osteoarthritis-cartilage-damage-treatment-walkingStudy reveals gait retraining could help treat knee osteoarthritis
New research demonstrates how personalized walking patterns can slow cartilage degradation and deliver pain relief comparable to medication.
Gait Retraining to Reduce Tibial Acceleration Versus a ...
The results also indicate that gait retraining to reduce PTA can reduce knee pain. However, between‐group differences were not observed, ...
Personalised gait retraining for medial compartment knee ...
Personalised foot angle modifications improve pain, reduce knee loading, and might slow osteoarthritis progression, making them a promising non- ...
4.
nyulangone.org
nyulangone.org/news/study-reveals-how-small-changes-walking-technique-may-help-treat-knee-osteoarthritisStudy Reveals How Small Changes in Walking Technique ...
Study findings showed those who adjusted their gait reduced the maximum loading in the knees by 4 percent, while those who kept their normal ...
Toe-in and toe-out gait retraining interventions for ...
People with knee osteoarthritis could achieve both gait interventions over 6 weeks. •. Both interventions reduced maximum knee pain by an average of 35 %.
Personalised gait retraining for medial compartment knee ...
Primary outcomes were 1-year changes in medial knee pain (numeric rating scale) and medial knee loading (knee adduction moment peak).
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