Interactive Virtual Telerehabilitation After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Effectiveness of an Interactive Virtual Telerehabilitation System in Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty. A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of a new interactive virtual telerehabilitation (IVT) system with the conventional program in the rehabilitation of patients after total knee arthroplasty.

Patients are distributed into two treatment groups: 1) Group I (control): standard clinical protocol of TKA rehabilitation consisting of 1-hour sessions for 10 days; and 2) Group II (IVT): 1-hour IVT sessions for 10 days (5 sessions under a therapist's supervision to verify the absence of medical complications + 5 sessions performed at home). The IVT is an interactive virtual software-hardware platform that facilitates the development of remote rehabilitation therapy for multiple diseases. Patients receive information required to perform exercise and the therapist remotely monitors the patient's performance. For the purpose of this trial, the IVT system was designed for lower limb motor recovery in patients undergoing TKA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Post-TKA active range of motion: flexion 80º and extension -10º
• ABsence of stiffness
• Ability to walk with the use of a walking aid
• Ability to read and understand Spanish
• Ability to understand and accept the trial procedures and to sign an informed consent form in accordance with national legislation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Sensory, cognitive and/or praxic impairment
• Concomitant medical conditions that may influence the rehabilitation process
• Discharge destination other than home
• Patients with any local or systemic complication (e.g., surgical wound infection, suspicion of deep vein thrombosis…) in the three-month follow-up period