Gait-related self-efficacy is directly associated with daily step counts in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: In addition to physical factors, psychological factors such as self-efficacy (SE) reportedly affect physical activity (PA) levels in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the relationship between PA and SE for walking tasks in patients with knee OA remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the direct and indirect pathways of SE for walking tasks and the influence of previously reported factors on PA level in individuals with knee OA.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed. Eighty-five individuals with knee OA were enrolled. The daily step count (Steps) was considered an objective level of PA. The SE for the walking task was assessed using a modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES). Data on gait speed (GS), the visual analog scale (VAS) score for knee pain, Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade of radiographic severity of knee OA, age, and body mass index were collected. Path analysis was performed to investigate the direct and indirect effects of these variables on Steps.

Results: After exclusion, 70 participants were included. The alternative model, which included Steps, mGES, GS, VAS, K-L grade, and age, showed a good fit. mGES and age had a direct effect on Steps (standardized path coefficients: 0.337 and -0.542, respectively), while the other variables had indirect effects.

Conclusions: The SE for walking tasks was directly associated with Steps representative of the PA level. This finding suggests that SE for the walking task may be important in improving PA levels in individuals with knee OA.