Robot‐assisted rehabilitation training improves knee function and daily activity ability in older adults following total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of robot‐assisted rehabilitation training on knee function and the daily activity ability of older adults following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Eighty‐eight patients who underwent TKA were randomly assigned to a robot‐assisted rehabilitation or traditional therapy group. The patients in the control group were treated with traditional manual rehabilitation therapy, while the patients in the experimental group were subjected to the robot‐assisted rehabilitation program. Range of motion of the knee joint, Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Rating Score, and the modified Barthel Index were assessed on the first or second day after TKA (preintervention) and the discharge day (postintervention). Additionally, the length of hospital stay and related hospitalization expenses of the two groups were collected on the discharge day. Improvements in the active range of motion (p < 0.001), passive range of motion (p = 0.001), Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Rating Score (p < 0.001), and modified Barthel Index score (p = 0.004) were significantly better in the robot‐assisted rehabilitation group than in the traditional therapy group. Interestingly, the length of hospital stay in the experimental group (9 days) was shorter than that in the control group (13 days), and the total cost of hospitalization was lower (p = 0.002). The robot‐assisted rehabilitation training program is an effective intervention that significantly improves the daily activity ability and knee function of older adults following TKA.

Robotic exoskeletons and total knee arthroplasty: The future of knee rehabilitation and replacement – A meta-analysis

“…[23] Several studies have shown that RAR improves knee ROM post-TKA. [12,13,24] The study results also support the finding that RAR produces this clinical benefit, as this study showed that both AROM and PROM improved through activeassistive joint support. In this study, RAR improved both AROM and PROM.…”

“…Cai and Mrotzek [9,13] reported the hospital stay of patients who used exoskeletons. This meta-analysis showed that patients who used exoskeletons experienced a significantly shorter hospital stay than the control group patients (SMD: −3.19, 95% CI: −4 to −2.38, P < .00001, Fig.…”

“…However, the single-leg version of the HAL device may be more suitable for rehabilitating patients undergoing TKR because it is lighter and allows freedom of movement in the nonoperated leg. Cai et al [13] [20] the experimental group underwent robot-assisted walking training using the AVATAR-M (Shanghai Zhanghe Corporation, China). This literature search yielded only a few reports, including 1 meta-analysis; therefore, this study is very innovative.…”

“…In 2022, Yoo et al [8] conducted a meta-analysis involving 6 studies on TKA and 1 on THA. In addition to the articles in Yoo's report, the current study incorporated prospective studies by Cai and Mrotzke [9,13] with 82 and 18 cases, respectively. However, 1 study initially included in Yoo's analysis was excluded from this analysis because of its retrospective design.…”

“…However, the single-leg version of the HAL device may be more suitable for rehabilitating patients undergoing TKR because it is lighter and allows freedom of movement in the nonoperated leg. Cai et al [13] used the Lokomat system, which includes an instrumented treadmill and senses electromyogram signals to convert them into joint torque. In a study by Li et al, [20] the experimental group underwent robot-assisted walking training using the AVATAR-M (Shanghai Zhanghe Corporation, China).…”