Motor Learning in Knee Osteoarthritis Therapy - A New Rehabilitation Approach

Non-surgical treatment options, like exercise therapy, show excellent short-term effects regarding pain reduction and improvement of knee function. However, mid- and long-term effects are missing so far. This might indicate that long-lasting changes in motor-skill performance (Motor Learning) have not occurred. Motor learning is associated with permanent changes in the capability for skilled movement behavior avoiding unfavorable joint loads and inappropriate muscle activation patterns, leading to compensatory movement strategies. One-sided and high repetitive loads in the knee joint could be one reason for the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Physiotherapeutic strategies should therefore be able to stimulate motor learning processes. In physiotherapy, motor learning can be optimized by using instructions and feedback, targeting an external focus of attention, when learning specific movement patterns. This study investigates the effects of a 12 week exercise therapy program, using an external focus of attention, on functional and biomechanical parameters in patients with knee osteoarthritis. To measure possible changes, functional measurements are taking place at baseline, after 6, 12 and 24 weeks. The biomechanical measurements (3D gait analysis) are taking place at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks.