A Comparative Analysis of Two Types of Exercise on Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Helen Hayes Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Knee

Treatments: Behavioral: Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01545986

09-04

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two exercise programs, using low velocity (LV) and high velocity (HV) contractions, on outcomes of individuals who have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The experimental hypothesis was that individuals performing HV exercise, compared to LV, would exhibit superior outcomes.

Full description

The most effective type of exercise has not been identified for individuals who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). High velocity (HV) exercise when compared to low velocity (LV) exercise produces greater gains in power and certain functional activities in older adults. The use of HV exercise for patients who undergo TKA has not been investigated.

Enrollment: 38 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60 to 89 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 60- 89 years of age.
• primary unilateral TKA 10-21 days prior to the outpatient PT evaluation
• received inpatient rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital

Exclusion criteria

• Any other lower extremity joint or back pain (not inclusive of recent Total knee arthroplasty) rated greater than four out of ten with weight-bearing
• any other lower extremity joint replacement surgery
• diagnosis of osteoporosis with history of fractures, uncontrolled hypertension, unstable cardiac or pulmonary problems, neurological disease affecting motor control, uncontrolled diabetes
• chest pain or shortness of breath on stair-climbing
• requirement of human assistance to walk in addition to the ambulation device
• inability to follow instructions to perform testing and/or exercise,
• participants who stated that they would not be available to complete 12 exercise sessions
• individual adherence with performance of a home exercise program (HEP) less than five of seven days at the end of the treatment period

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

38 participants in 2 patient groups

High Velocity Exercise

Experimental group

Description:

The high velocity exercise group performed the concentric contraction phase of resisted exercise in one second or less. This group performed sit to stand exercise, walking, curbs, and stairs as fast as was comfortable without an increased limp. Other exercises were performed at the participant preferred rate.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Exercise

Low Velocity exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

The low velocity exercise group performed the concentric contraction phase of resisted exercise in two seconds. This group performed sit to stand exercise, walking, curbs, stairs, and other exercises at the participant preferred rate.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Exercise