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Robot-Aided Off-Axis Neuromuscular Training for Knee OA
Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore
Summary
Although the primary knee motion occurs in flexion/extension, the frontal and transverse (off-axis) knee motions are smaller but crucial for maintaining joint stability and normal knee loading. Altered kinematics and neuromuscular control in off-axis knee motions have been reported in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), which are associated with excessive knee loading and the progression of knee OA. However, traditional rehabilitative treatments for people with knee OA and existing exercise equipment often focus on sagittal plane movement. Probably due to the technical limitations, there is a lack of convenient and effective equipment/method to train patients with knee OA in off-axis (frontal and transverse) planes. The purpose of this study is to use a robot-aided elliptical training device to measure knee neuromechanical properties and to improve neuromuscular control in off-axis knee motions, aiming for joint de-loading and pain reduction for individuals with knee OA.
Official title: Effectiveness of Robot-Aided Off-Axis Neuromuscular Training for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
45 Years - 85 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
36
Start Date
2026-03-01
Completion Date
2030-01
Last Updated
2026-02-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Robot-Aided Off-Axis Neuromuscular Training
A novel custom-designed elliptical trainer is developed, and its footplates are robot-controlled to be moved in four off-axis directions (sliding in/out, pivoting in/out; corresponding to knee valgus/varus, internal rotation/external rotation). Before the training, off-axis neuromechanical assessments will be conducted to determine which specific off-axis direction (valgus, varus, internal rotation, external rotation, or combination of the off-axis directions) has neuromechanical deficits. During the evaluation-based and subject-specific neuromuscular training, the different training modes will be conducted progressively from regular stepping, footplate position control, spring mode, perturbation, to slippery mode.
Traditional elliptical regular stepping
traditional elliptical regular stepping