Abstract
BackgroundThe demand for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is quickly rising given the escalating global incidence of hip osteoarthritis, and it is widely accepted that the post-surgery rehabilitation is key to optimize outcomes. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new telerehabilitation solution, ReHub, for the physical function and clinical outcome improvement following THA. The specific aims of this manuscript are to describe the study design, protocol, content of interventions, and primary and secondary outcomes and to discuss the clinical rehabilitation impact of the expected experimental results.Methods/designThis prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial will include 56 patients who had undergone primary THA. Patients are randomized to a control group (standard rehabilitation during the 2-week stay in the rehabilitation clinic followed by 3 weeks of unsupervised home-based rehabilitation) or an experimental group (standard rehabilitation during the 2-week stay in the rehabilitation clinic followed by 3 weeks of home-based ReHub-assisted telerehabilitation). The primary outcome is physical performance assessed through the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Secondary outcomes include independence level, pain intensity, hip disability, hip range of motion, muscle strength, and patient’s perception of clinical improvement.DiscussionProving the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a home-based telerehabilitation program for physical and muscle function following THA could support its systematic incorporation in post-surgical rehabilitation protocols, which should be tailored to the individual and collective needs.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov NCT04176315. Registered on 22 November 2019
Highlights
The demand for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is quickly rising given the escalating global incidence of hip osteoarthritis, and it is widely accepted that the post-surgery rehabilitation is key to optimize outcomes
Proving the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a home-based telerehabilitation program for physical and muscle function following THA could support its systematic incorporation in post-surgical rehabilitation protocols, which should be tailored to the individual and collective needs
Karlon et al [9] found that a 6-week telerehabilitation program based on video clips of common exercises (3 sessions/week) added to physical therapy sessions (3 sessions/week) was more effective for the recovery of physical function compared to conventional rehabilitation
Summary
The demand for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is quickly rising given the escalating global incidence of hip osteoarthritis, and it is widely accepted that the post-surgery rehabilitation is key to optimize outcomes. The efficacy of THA is well documented, and it is widely accepted that the post-surgery rehabilitation is key to optimize outcomes [4, 5], in particular when the rehabilitation is based on intensive and early progressive exercises [6], which lead to improved clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, and reduction of complications and expenses. In a very recent study, Dias Correia et al [10] showed that an 8-week telerehabilitation program (30 min/day of exercise performed with a digital biofeedback system, 5–7 sessions/ week) was associated with better outcomes than conventional rehabilitation (1 h/day of a home-based program provided by a physiotherapist, 3 sessions/week)
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