Research findings from the laboratory are used to improve our understanding of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders, as well as develop new treatment approaches. To find more information on a particular research study, please view the outlines and general eligibility criteria below. If you are interested in taking part in a research study in the lab, please click the respective study links below.
1) Linking biomechanical and imaging outcomes to better understand the effects of running on knee joint health
Overview: Physical activity has been widely recognized as an important treatment approach for knee osteoarthritis (OA); however, little is known about the effects of running with this condition. Previous studies have suggested healthy knee cartilage has the ability to become stronger immediately after running in the short-term, but it remains unclear if unhealthy knee cartilage would react the same.
Objectives: To investigate the effects of running on individuals with knee osteoarthritis, including response of cartilage immediately following a run, as well as following a 12-week running program increasing running volume.
For more information about participating in this study and to register your interest, click here.
2) Foot progression angle modification: an exploratory six-week telerehabilitation intervention in people with knee osteoarthritis
No longer recruiting
Overview: An emerging strategy to manage knee osteoarthritis is to change walking motions to lower knee joint loads. Changing the position of the foot while walking has been shown to lower knee joint loads and improve symptoms, but it is unclear if patients can learn these modifications and if they can be performed outside of the laboratory.
Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of learning a walking modification, performing it during daily walking activity, and delivering the treatment primarily using videoconferencing technology.
3) Foot progression angle measured in the real world using a sensorized shoe in people with or without knee osteoarthritis
No longer recruiting
Overview: The position of the foot while walking has been shown to have an important relationship with knee joint load. This concept can be connected to the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Traditionally, measurement of this biomechanical outcome has been performed in a laboratory setting. However, the development of shoe-worn sensors now allows measurement in real-life environments over multiple days.
Objectives: 1) To investigate foot motion during walking activities in the community over seven consecutive days. 2) To compare differences in foot motion during walking between adults with and without knee OA. 3) To validate real-world foot motion measurement using a sensorized shoe compared to laboratory-based measurement.
4) Shoe-worn Orthotic Insole Treatment and Knee Osteoarthritis
No longer recruiting
Overview: One form of conservative treatment for managing knee osteoarthritis is to modify knee joint loading with lateral wedge insoles. However, the change in knee joint loads while wearing lateral wedge insoles can vary between people due to individual differences in foot and lower limb alignment. Quantifying these differences in individual characteristics may help with predicting which people with knee osteoarthritis may be best suited for this type of treatment. Moreover, little is known about how the knee joint interface changes with lateral wedge insole use.
Objectives: To identify predictors of change in knee joint loads while walking and to assess how the knee joint interface changes with lateral wedge insole wear in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.