Gait compensations, pain, and functional performance during the six minute walk test in individuals with unilateral hip osteoarthritis

• Published in: Clinical biomechanics (Bristol) 2024-12, Vol.120, p.106366, Article 106366
• Main Authors: Davis-Wilson, Hope, Hoffman, Rashelle, Cheuy, Victor, Christensen, Jesse, Forster, Jeri E., Judd, Dana L., Stevens-Lapsley, Jennifer, Christiansen, Cory L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biomechanical Phenomena; Digital health technologies; Female; Gait; Hip Joint - physiopathology; Humans; Inertial measurement unit; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Hip - physiopathology; Pain - etiology; Pain - physiopathology; Physical Functional Performance; Range of Motion, Articular; Walk Test - methods; Walking - physiology; Walking endurance; Wearable sensors
• ISSN: 0268-0033; 1879-1271; 1879-1271
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106366

Individuals with unilateral hip osteoarthritis walk with kinematic and spatiotemporal compensations compared to healthy individuals. Our purpose was to determine associations between gait, pain, and functional performance during the six-minute walk test. Trunk and hip kinematics and spatiotemporal gait outcomes were recorded from individuals with unilateral hip osteoarthritis using inertial sensors (Xsens Technologies). Pain was collected prior to and at the end of the six-minute walk test. Paired t-tests were conducted to evaluate gait between limbs and between the first and final minutes of walking. Correlations were conducted between gait, pain, and six-minute walk test performance. Nineteen participants (8 females, age: 63 ± 5 yrs., BMI: 29.0 ± 4.5 kg/m2) completed the study. Between-limb differences in hip flexion, hip extension, and trunk forward flexion peak angles were observed during the six-minute walk test (P