IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KINESIOPHOBIA AND QUDRICEPS STRENGTH WITH THE GAIT KINEMATICS OF WOMEN WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Abstract

Evidence indicates the presence of both kinesiophobia and quadriceps strength deficit in women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Both impairments can contribute to apparenty compensatory gait patterns, such as reduced speed, cadence and peak knee flexion. Therefore, the aims of this study is to evaluate the relationships between kinematics and kinesiophobia and kinematics and knee extensor strength during gait in women with KOA. Women, aged between 50-80 years, with a medical diagnosis of KOA will participate in this study. Initially, anamnesis will be carried out to verify the volunteer's eligibility and application of the questionnaires: Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Brief Fear of Movement Scale. The kinematic assement will be analysis during the gait. Retroreflective markers will be placed on participants in at specific anatomical points: acromion, greater trochanter of the femur, head of the fibula, lateral malleolus and head of the fifth metatarsal. Two cameras will be used to capture movement in the sagittal and frontal planes. Volunteers will be instructed to walk on a 14-meter-long walkway at the same speed as they perform their daily activities. On the second day, knee extensor torque will be assessed on the isokinetic dynamometer. The protocol will consist of three maximal concentric knee extension contractions and will be performed at two speeds, 60 and 120Ú/sec. To analyze the kinematic data, the angles of knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, knee valgus, pelvic tilt and trunk inclination in the stance phase of gait will be calculated. In addition, gait speed and cadence will be calculated. To analyze the dynamometric data, the average of the three contractions evaluated will be taken and the data will be normalized by the volunteers' body mass. For statistical analysis, the normality of the data will initially be checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Subsequently, the Pearson correlation test will be applied to quantify the relationship between kinesiophobia, kinematic gait parameters and knee extension strength. The significance level adopted will be p<0.05.