Development and Feasibility of an Immersive Feedback Protocol to Reduce Knee Moments and Pain with Potential Application to People with Knee Osteoarthritis

Authors

Evan Shrier, Chapman UniversityFollow
Shawn Farrokhi, Chapman UniversityFollow
P. Pallante, Chapman University
Natalia Sanchez Aldana, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-7-2025

Faculty Advisor(s)

Natalia Sánchez

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of disability in the US, affecting 1 in 5 people. Of that, 45% will experience OA in at least one knee. To alleviate pain and prevent knee OA disease progression, walking modification techniques have been proposed. While studies and meta-analyses exist suggesting reductions knee moments due to these modifications (Bechard 2012, Bowd 2019, Fregly 2012), little conclusive evidence exists quantifying their effectiveness. Objective: This research aims to assess the feasibility of an immersive bio-feedback system that provides real-time information about how to effectivedly perform walking modifications that reduce knee moments and pain. Methods: We reviewed the literature to identify how many publications exist supporting each walking modification, and the five most prominent were selected. The Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL) system at the Chapman University Rinker Campus was utilized; the GRAIL is instrumented with a dual-belt treadmill, 10 motion capture cameras and D-Flow software, providing custom, gamified visual feedback based on real-time data. We created custom MATLAB code to assess reduction of knee moments during each modification. We tested one healthy adult (F57) to assess the feasibility of our feedback system. Results: From the literature review, we identified the following modifications and their ideal ranges: toe-in, toe-out, (both 10-15º) wider steps, (8-12 cm) ipsilateral trunk lean, (10-15º) and medial knee thrust. (4-8º) The D-Flow software calculated the relevant angles for each modification and in real-time, we projected them on an immersive screen as a bar graph. Using the walking modifications, the participant overall reduced knee moments between 0% and 25%. Conclusion: We confirmed that walking modifications can reduce knee joint moments, and that a real-time biofeedback system that instructs participants on the modifications is feasible. Further testing will be done to quantify the effectiveness of walking modifications for knee OA patients.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2025 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

Recommended Citation

Shrier, Evan; Farrokhi, Shawn; Pallante, P.; and Sanchez Aldana, Natalia, "Development and Feasibility of an Immersive Feedback Protocol to Reduce Knee Moments and Pain with Potential Application to People with Knee Osteoarthritis" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters. 749.
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cusrd_abstracts/749