The Effect of Motor Imagery and Motion Observation Training on Pain, Functionality, Balance, and Anxiety After Knee Replacement Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study

The Effect of Motor Imagery and Motion Observation Training on Pain, Functionality, Balance, and Anxiety After Knee Replacement Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study

This single-center randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of motor imagery and action observation training on pain, functionality, balance, and fear of movement in patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study will be conducted at Simav Doç. Dr. İsmail Karakuyu State Hospital Orthopedics Department with a minimum of 40 participants meeting the inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) standard physiotherapy, (2) standard physiotherapy plus motor imagery training, or (3) standard physiotherapy plus action observation training.

All interventions will last six weeks. Standard physiotherapy will include ankle pumping, active-assisted hip and knee flexion, isometric and stretching exercises, cryotherapy, gait, and stair training. The motor imagery group will perform guided imagery sessions using audio recordings describing the physiotherapy exercises and daily activities. The action observation group will observe exercise videos corresponding to the physiotherapy program.

The primary outcomes will include pain, functional level, balance, and kinesiophobia. The study aims to determine whether the addition of mental simulation techniques to standard physiotherapy can enhance postoperative recovery and improve functional outcomes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Those diagnosed with degenerative gonarthrosis and who have experienced unilateral TDA
• Those over 25 years of age
• Those who have obtained a passing score on the Mini Mental Test (>24)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Body mass index of 40 kg/m2 or higher,
• Revision/bilateral TDA,
• Self-reported sensory, cognitive, neurological or motor impairment that would limit participation in the study; history of psychosis; or concomitant diseases that would negatively affect recovery, such as hemiparesis, peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema or lower extremity amputation.