Affiliations: [a] Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation and Functional Performance, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil | [b] School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil | [c] Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor Apparatus, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The use of bandages improves quasi-static posture control in
individuals with knee osteoarthritis, but it is unknown whether this increased
sensory input influences postural control in dynamic tasks. OBJECTIVE: Assess the effect of bandage use on motor performance and
reported pain in individuals with knee osteoarthritis during obstacle crossing. METHODS: Twenty-four individuals with knee osteoarthritis were enrolled.
A force plate was used to measure the vertical and anterior-posterior components
of the ground reaction force during obstacle crossing, for the trailing and
leading legs, under conditions with and without the use of a bandage. Pain
was assessed using the visual analogue scale. RESULTS: With use of a bandage, the propulsive time, time to active peak,
propulsive peak, passive peak, and active impulse were significantly reduced in
the trailing leg, and the braking peak was significantly increased in the
leading leg. The pain parameters did not exhibit any variation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the use of a bandage allowed for a
more rapid movement, better estimates of the force applied against the ground in the
propulsive stage, and a reduction in the overload on the locomotor system in
the loading response stage.
