A Review of Functional Outcomes after the App-Based Rehabilitation of Patients with TKA and THA

Abstract

Following the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, several elective surgeries were cancelled, and rehabilitation units were closed. This has led to difficulties for patients seeking access to rehabilitation in order to achieve the best possible outcome. New applications with or without sensors were developed to address this need, but the outcome has not been examined in detail yet. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature review on smart phone applications for patients suffering from hip and knee osteoarthritis after arthroplasty. The MEDLINE/PubMed and Google databases were queried using the search term “[APP] AND [ORTHOPEDIC]” according to PRISMA guidelines. All prospective studies investigating rehabilitation applications reporting the functional outcome in hip and knee osteoarthritis after arthroplasty were included. The initial search yielded 420 entries, but only 9 publications met the inclusion criteria, accounting for 1067 patients. In total, 518 patients were in the intervention group, and 549 patients were in the control group. The average follow-up was 9.5 ± 8.1 months (range: 3 to 23.4 months). Overall, significantly lower A-VAS values were observed for the interventional group in the short term (p = 0.002). There were no other significant differences observed between the two groups. Smart phone applications provide an alternative to in-person sessions that may improve access for patients after total joint arthroplasty. Our study found there are significant improvements in the short term by using this approach. In combination with a blue-tooth-enabled sensor for isometric exercises, patients can even receive real-time feedback after total knee arthroplasty.

System for Tracking and Evaluating Performance (Step-App®): validation and clinical application of a mobile telemonitoring system in patients with knee and hip total arthroplasty. A prospective cohort study

“…Interestingly, growing efforts have been recently paid to rehabilitation delivery at home. 39 , 40 In this scenario, the recent review by Bäcker et al 41 assessed the role of mobile applications in telerehabilitation of total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty, showing promising results in integrating technological solutions to conventional rehabilitation programs. However, little evidence is currently available in physical performance tests assessment by digital solutions.…”

The Role of Mobile Health Technology on Perioperative Spinal Care: A Systematic Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis

“…Additionally, there has been evidence of short-term improvement for hip and knee osteoarthritis patients [33]. Moreover, patients with spinal cord injury benefit as they undergo physiotherapy to preserve and improve their neuromuscular function [34][35].…”

A Digital Health Intervention Platform (Active and Independent Management System) to Enhance the Rehabilitation Experience for Orthopedic Joint Replacement Patients: Usability Evaluation Study

“…Two literature reviews assessing the use of app-based rehabilitation for TKA or THA were conducted recently [ 31 , 32 ]. Bäcker et al [ 31 ] examined the functional outcomes of app-based rehabilitation of patients after TKA or THA.…”

“…Two literature reviews assessing the use of app-based rehabilitation for TKA or THA were conducted recently [ 31 , 32 ]. Bäcker et al [ 31 ] examined the functional outcomes of app-based rehabilitation of patients after TKA or THA. The review identified 420 entries from MEDLINE or PubMed and Google databases, but only 9 publications met the inclusion criteria, covering 518 patients in the intervention groups and 549 patients in the control groups.…”

“…The study found that there were significant short-term improvements in the mobile app group. The authors concluded that mobile apps provide an alternative to in-person sessions that may improve access to physical activity for patients after TKA or THA, and, in combination with a Bluetooth-enabled sensor for isometric exercises, patients can additionally receive real-time feedback after TKA or THA [ 31 ].…”