Smartphone-Based Assessment of Postural Balance in Patients With End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study shows that smartphones can effectively assess balance issues in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis, helping to manage fall risks and guide rehabilitation.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of using smartphone inertial sensors to evaluate postural control in end-stage knee osteoarthritis patients.

Findings

Patients with knee osteoarthritis showed significantly higher body acceleration during balance tasks compared to controls.

Increased body sway was significantly correlated with poorer physical function in semi-tandem tasks.

Smartphone-based assessments revealed significant group differences in postural control parameters.

Abstract

Background

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent joint disease and significantly impacts quality of life, particularly by increasing the risk of falls due to balance impairments. Individuals with knee osteoarthritis often experience musculoskeletal deficits that compromise proprioception and postural stability. While traditional tools for assessing balance, such as force platforms and motion capture systems, are effective, they are also costly and less accessible in clinical settings. Advances in mobile technology have enabled the use of smartphone-based inertial sensors as a practical alternative for evaluating postural control. However, evidence supporting their application in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis remains limited, especially regarding their association with physical function.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study included 40 participants, divided into knee osteoarthritis (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. Participants completed four static balance tasks while acceleration data were recorded using a smartphone. The tasks consisted of semi-tandem and parallel feet stances, performed with eyes open and closed. Each task was repeated twice for 30 seconds, with a one-minute rest between trials. In the knee osteoarthritis group, physical function was further assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 30-second chair stand test. Acceleration data were processed to compute the root mean square values for body sway in the antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions, as well as overall acceleration magnitude.

Results

The Mann-Whitney U-test revealed significant differences between groups in most tasks and parameters, with the knee osteoarthritis group exhibiting significantly higher body acceleration. Furthermore, increased body sway was significantly correlated with poorer physical function, particularly in semi-tandem tasks.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that smartphone-derived measurements provide an effective means of assessing postural control in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis, offering valuable insights for managing fall risk and informing tailored rehabilitation strategies.

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