Visual-feedback Balance Platform Training Combined with Conventional Rehabilitation for Balance Function after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Summary

The goal of the presented protocol is to improve balance function after total knee arthroplasty by combining conventional rehabilitation training with the visual-feedback balance platform training.

Abstract

The aim of the protocol is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of combining conventional rehabilitation with visual-feedback balance platform training in elderly patients undergoing primary unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). The method shows a single-blind, randomized controlled trial that enrolled 60 patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA (23 males, 37 females). Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (n=30; mean age 69.60 ± 2.98 years) or an observation group (n=30; mean age 70.87 ± 4.26 years). The control group received conventional rehabilitation, while the observation group received conventional rehabilitation plus visual-feedback balance platform training. The visual feedback intervention commenced in the second postoperative week, conducted 5 times per week for 20-30 min per session, over a 5-week period. Balance function was evaluated using platform-specific metrics: Length of Movement Trajectory (LMT) and Area of Movement Ellipse (AME). Functional mobility was assessed via the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Single-Leg Stance (SLS), Timed Sit-to-Stand (STS), and Timed Stair Test (TST). Data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. After the 6-week program, both groups showed significant improvements across all parameters compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, the observation group exhibited significantly superior outcomes compared to the control group. Specifically, static stability metrics (LMT, AME) and TUGT performance were significantly better in the observation group (p < 0.01). Similarly, the observation group demonstrated significant improvement in SLS, STS, and TST (p < 0.05) compared to controls. Integrating visual-feedback balance platform training with conventional rehabilitation significantly enhanced static and dynamic balance function in elderly TKA patients, offering superior efficacy to conventional rehabilitation alone.

Introduction

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative musculoskeletal disorder, affecting approximately 23% of individuals aged 40 and older worldwide, and is characterized by chronic pain, limited joint mobility, impaired balance and proprioception, abnormal gait, and overall functional decline¹. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, KOA remains a significant public health challenge due to the aging population and rising obesity rates. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective intervention for end-stage KOA, alleviating pain and improving function². However, evidence suggests that many patients ....

Protocol

This study protocol received approval from the ethics committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (Approval Number: XYFY2024-KL316-01), and informed consent was obtained from all participants.

1 . Study design and participant selection

1. Use a randomized controlled trial, employing single-blinding and a control group, to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the program. Select a total of 60 patients who underwent primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital, from January 2024 to June 2025 as study subjects.
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Results

A total of 60 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the control or observation group (Table 1). Baseline characteristics were strictly controlled. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for sex, age, disease duration, or lesion side (p> 0.05), indicating that the two groups were comparable at baseline (Table 1).

Throughout the study, 10 adverse events (e.g., falls,.......

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that integrating the visual-feedback balance platform training into the conventional rehabilitation for a 6-week training program can significantly improve balance function in patients who have undergone unilateral TKA surgery, with clinical efficacy superior to conventional rehabilitation alone.

Balance function refers to the advanced neuromuscular control ability of the human body to maintain center of gravity stability, precise control posture, and prevent.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Lower limb joint rehabilitation device	Xuzhou Kangmai Medical Equipment Technology Co., Ltd	030805000067
Pro-kin system	TecnoBody Company, Italy	030899000212