Article

Gait analysis is an important instrument in clinical research and
results should be objective.
The purpose of this study was to quantify clinical
outcomes of two biomechanical models with different anatomical coordinate systems
and angle decomposition strategies for knee joint kinematics. The study
was designed to compare a functional approach and a predictive approach with a
single comprehensive marker set. 10 healthy subjects and 12 subjects with knee
osteoarthritis were analysed. Distinctive gait variables were averaged across
five trials. Agreement between methods was illustrated with the so-called levels
of agreement. Differences between models were quantified using a paired t-test or
Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test in case of non-normality (Shapiro-Wilk test). Unpaired
t-tests/Wilcoxon tests were used to compare gait variables between healthy
subjects and subjects with knee osteoarthritis, and to examine whether
statistical analysis of this comparison would yield different data
interpretations when using different models. FINDINGS: Outcome variables differed
between the functional and predictive approaches in the sagittal plane (0.1-3.1
degrees ), and transverse plane (1.0-3.7 degrees ). With respect to the range of
motion in the given movement plane, variables in the sagittal plane of the knee
were more consistent between methods. The functional approach was more sensitive
for detecting differences between groups for sagittal plane kinematics.
Statistical analysis for transverse plane kinematics differed substantially
between models. INTERPRETATION: Sensitivity to detect differences of kinematic
data between population groups can vary between biomechanical models. Rotational
gait variables are inconsistent between models and should not be used as clinical
outcome variables in daily routine.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS