Graded Motor Imagery and Total Knee Arthroplasty

The Effect of Graded Motor Imagery Training on Pain, Functional Performance, Motor Imagery Skill, and Kinesiophobia After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

This study was planned to investigate the long-term effectiveness of the early application of graded motor imagery therapy on pain parameters, functional performance, motor imagery skill, and kinesiophobia in individuals who underwent total knee arthroplasty surgery after knee osteoarthritis.

Participants aged 45-80 who are scheduled for total knee arthroplasty surgery after knee osteoarthritis will be included. Participants will be selected from the relevant population using a nonprobability random sampling method. Participants who agree to participate in the study and meet the inclusion criteria will be assigned to one of the groups (conventional rehabilitation-only or conventional rehabilitation with graded motor imagery) using the closed envelope method. Evaluations will be made one day before surgery, 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery for each group. Pain Visual Analog Scale; pressure pain threshold algometer; central sensitization Central Sensitization Inventory; the joint range of motion goniometer; muscle strength handheld dynamometer; kinesiophobia Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale; functional mobility and mental stopwatch Timed get up and go test; choice task Recognise™ application; motor imagery skill Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3; functional assessment Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); The catastrophic degree of pain is planned to be evaluated with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and being on the waiting list to receive unilateral total knee arthroplasty
• Approved by the orthopedist for early physiotherapy treatment after total knee arthroplasty

Exclusion Criteria:

• - Individuals undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty or undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty,
• Contralateral knee osteoarthritis (defined by activity greater than 4/10 pain)
• Having undergone any physical therapy intervention or other surgery in the last 6 months
• Any neurological, cardiac, pulmonary or psychiatric disease (eg, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, neoplasms, uncontrolled blood pressure, neurological conditions) before or after surgery;
• Fracture, infection in the acute postoperative phase or presence of fever
• Cognitive impairments that alter the probability of correct understanding of the motor imagery program
• Body mass index > 35 kg / m2
• Difficulties with understanding or communication
• Insufficient knowledge of Turkish to follow the study instructions.