The Effects of Telehealth Running Gait Retraining on Biomechanics, Pain, and Function in Patients with Lower Extremity Injuries: A Randomized Clinical Trail- Clinical Biomechanics

e Florkiewicz, k east, m crowell, a weart, g freisinger, d goss

In-clinic gait retraining has been effective in modifying suspected biomechanical risk factors for running injury, but its feasibility is often limited by multiple clinic visits. This randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of a telehealth-based gait retraining intervention on running biomechanics, pain, and function in previously injured runners.

Twenty-three participants recovering from lower extremity injuries were randomized to a control or intervention group. The intervention group completed 4 to 6 telehealth gait retraining sessions over 8 to 10 weeks, consisting of visual and verbal cues to transition to a non-rearfoot strike pattern and increase step rate. The control group received standard physical therapy. Biomechanics, pain, and function were assessed pre- and post-intervention using a 2 × 2 mixed model analysis of variance.

Half of the participants (55 %) in the intervention group successfully transitioned to a non-rearfoot strike pattern. No significant differences were observed between groups in step rate, biomechanics, or function. A significant group-by-time interaction for pain was observed (F = 10.55, P = 0.004), with the intervention group reporting greater reductions in pain compared to the control group (mean difference 2.52, 95 % CI 0.91 to 4.12).

Erin M. Florkiewicz, Kyle H. East, Michael S. Crowell, Amy N. Weart, Gregory M. Freisinger, Donald L. Goss. The effects of telehealth running gait retraining on biomechanics, pain, and function in patients with lower extremity injuries: A randomized clinical trial. Clinical Biomechanics, 2024. 106381, ISSN 0268-0033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106381.