Insole-based Visual Biofeedback for Weight-bearing in Total Hip Replacement

The Effects of Insole-based Visual Biofeedback on Weight-bearing in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Replacement. A Randomised Controlled Trial.

The study investigates the effects of visual biofeedback, based on a sensorized system for the dynamic evaluation of the plantar pressure versus rehabilitation with traditional verbal instructions of the physiotherapist, on weight bearing distribution in patients who underwent first total hip replacement. The study is a randomized controlled trial, with parallel groups, without blinding.

Forty patients, who underwent first total hip replacement surgery were enrolled and divided into two groups on second postoperative day. Experimental group followed the training wearing sensorized insoles that provided plantar pressures and shift of foot center of pressure images on three monitors. Control Group followed verbal instructions of physiotherapist during training. From 4th to 10th postoperative day both groups followed the same rehabilitation program including exercises to restore correct weight bearing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 75 ≤ years of age,
• absence of conditions that could alter the gait cycle,
• absence of conditions that could reduce or alter visual ability,
• etherometry ≤ 0.5 mm
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24.

Exclusion Criteria:

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