The effect of physiotherapy interventions on biomechanical outcomes of gait in people with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review & meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: People with knee osteoarthritis (OA) frequently exhibit altered gait biomechanics. Hence, improving gait could be an important strategy for treatment. Exercise and manual therapy (MT) are recommended physiotherapy interventions for managing knee OA. However, the effect of exercise, MT, and combined interventions on gait biomechanics in people with knee OA is unclear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effect of physiotherapy interventions on gait biomechanics in people with knee OA. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search: CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, Medline (Ovid), Scopus, and Web of Science. We followed PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 19 RCTs, two case-control, and 13 single-arm studies were included in the review. Meta-analyses suggest that exercise has no effect compared to control for all assessed outcomes. Conclusion: With available sparse evidence, it is impossible to infer whether physiotherapy interventions (exercise, MT, and combined intervention) improve biomechanical outcomes of gait in people with knee OA.