Effects of Visual Feedback on Angular Error

Knee injuries, such as ligament ruptures or cartilage damage, can significantly impair proprioception. Previous studies have shown that individuals with knee injuries often exhibit reduced proprioceptive acuity, which may lead to altered movement patterns and consequently increase the risk of re-injury. Moreover, even asymptomatic knees may demonstrate proprioceptive errors due to underlying, undiagnosed conditions such as osteoarthritis, suggesting that proprioceptive dysfunction itself may contribute to injury occurrence.

The role of visual input in the assessment of proprioception is also of considerable importance. Studies have demonstrated that visual feedback can enhance proprioceptive accuracy by providing additional sensory information that supports joint position sense. In contrast, the absence of visual cues has been associated with increased joint positioning errors, indicating that proprioception is not solely dependent on proprioceptive feedback but is also influenced by visual input. Investigating the interaction between visual and proprioceptive information is therefore crucial for the effective regulation of motor control.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 40 and 80 years,
• A confirmed diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis,
• Absence of any health condition that could interfere with the measurement procedures.

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal to participate in the study,
• Presence of a diagnosed neurological disorder that could affect the measurements,
• Presence of cardiopulmonary instability that could influence the measurements,
• History of knee-related trauma within the past year,
• Receipt of physiotherapy or rehabilitation treatment within the past year,
• History of knee-related surgery,
• Inability to follow verbal instructions due to insufficient cognitive function.