Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a new interactive virtual
telerehabilitation system and a conventional programme following total knee
arthroplasty. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial.
PARTICIPANTS: A total of 142 total knee arthroplasty patients. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either:
(i) conventional
out-patient physical therapy; or (ii) interactive virtual telerehabilitation
system. The main outcome was function assessed with active range of knee
movement. Other variables, such as muscle strength, walk speed, pain and the
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, were also
collected. Comparisons were made on the basis of data collected routinely before
surgery, at the end of the rehabilitation programme, and at 3 months follow-up.
Quantitative variables were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. The agreed alpha
risk for all hypothesis testing was 0.05. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics
between groups were comparable. All participants improved after the 2-week
intervention on all outcome variables (p < 0.05). Patients in the interactive
virtual telerehabilitation group achieved improvements in the functional
variables similar to those achieved in the conventional therapy group.
CONCLUSION: A 2-week interactive virtual telerehabilitation programme is at least
as effective as conventional therapy. Telerehabilitation is a promising
alternative to traditional face-to-face therapies after discharge from total knee arthroplasty, especially for those patients who have difficulty with transportation to rehabilitation centres.
- Rééducation à distance
- Télérééducation

Langue : ANGLAIS