Gait speeds associated with anxiety responses to pain in osteoarthritis patients

Abstract

Objective. Patients with lower limbs osteoarthritis (OA) had slower walking speeds than healthy. Gait speed, which is associated with leg muscle strength, is a consistent predictor of health and functional status. The effects of pain and painrelated psychological constructs for gait speeds have been uncertain. Therefore, we investigated whether gait speed in patients with OA of lower limbs is associated with pain-related psychological constructs using a performance-based measure. Methods. The study group comprised 59 patients with advanced knee or hip OA. Gait speeds were measured at comfortable and maximum levels during 10-m walks. Covariates included 1) pain intensity measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS), 2) psychological constructs measured with a shortversion pain anxiety symptoms scale (PASS-20) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and 3) bilateral knee extensor and hip abductor muscle strength. Each variable was subjected to multivariate analysis with gait speed. Results. Single regression analysis showed that gait speeds were significantly correlated with VAS and PASS-20 scores, and muscle strength, not with HADS. Multiple regression analysis showed that PASS-20 score was significant correlating factor for gait speeds. Conclusions. Anxiety-related responses to pain were significant correlating factor for gait speeds, in patients with OA of lower limbs.