Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a delayed home exercise programme compared
with normal care after primary total knee arthroplasty.
DESIGN: Single-blind,
prospective, randomized, controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 108
participants (61% females, mean age 69 years [standard deviation 8.7]), were
randomized to a home-based exercise group (EG, n = 53) or to a control group (CG,
n = 55). METHODS: Two months post-operatively, the EG received a home exercise
programme, while the CG received no additional guidance. The outcome measurements
were: pain and disability, measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster
Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); health-related quality of life
(HRQoL), measured using the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36); maximal walking
speed; isometric knee muscle strength; and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
Measurements were made at baseline and at 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: At the
12-month follow-up, maximal walking speed (p < 0.001) and knee flexion strength
(p = 0.009) were significantly greater in the EG. Both groups showed similar
improvements in all of the WOMAC subscale scores, the SF-36 summary scores and
the TUG time. CONCLUSION: Home-based training was not superior to normal care
with regard to pain, disability or HRQoL, but resulted in greater improvement in
objectively measured physical performance.

Langue : ANGLAIS