Investigation of Reaction Time, Proprioception, and Shaped Pathway Walking Performance in Older Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objectives: The existing literature on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) does not provide clear data on step reaction time and proprioception and gait in shaped pathways. This study investigated the relationship between proprioception and reaction time with walking performance in shaped pathways in older patients undergoing TKA. Design: A cross-sectional observational study. Setting and Participants: An orthopedic outpatient clinic with 103 older patients with TKA after a minimum of 6 months after surgery. Methods: Participants were evaluated with Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8WT), L Test, Tinnetti Gait Test (TGT), proprioception measurement with an app-based inclinometer, and step reaction time (SRT) test. The same assessor carried out all evaluations. Results: F8WT showed a strong correlation with SRT-right, SRT-left, and Tinetti Gait Test (TGT), respectively (r(1) = 0.628, r(2) = 0.619, r(3) = -0.615, P < .01). In addition, F8WT was moderately correlated with Right Leg Proprioception Test (RLPT) and Left Leg Proprioception Test (LLPT), respectively (r(1) = 0.487, r(2) = 0.439, P < .01). There was a moderate correlation between L Test with RLRT, LLRT, and TGT, respectively (r(1) = 0.597, r(2) = 0.584, r(3) = -0.542, P < .01). Besides, there was a weak positive correlation between L Test with RLPT and LLPT, respectively (r(1) = 0.394, r(2) = 0.335, P < .01). A regression model showed that the L test was related to RLRT, LLRT, and TGT (R-2 = 0.432, P < .001). The higher ability of the L test was weakly associated with higher levels of TGT (standardized 5 = -0.28, P = .0012). Besides, regression analysis also proved that F8WT was related to RLRT, LLRT, and TGT (R-2 = 0.522, P < .001). The most highly associated parameter was LLRT (standardized beta = 0.958, P = .003). Conclusions and Implications: Gait in shaped pathways is associated with proprioception, reaction time, and balance ability in older patients with TKA. Therefore, proprioception, reaction time, and balance should be considered to improve the shaped pathway walking performance of patients after bilateral, right, or left TKA surgery. (c) 2023 AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.