Effects of technology-assisted rehabilitation for patients with hip arthroplasty: A meta-analysis

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Nov 10;102(45):e35921. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035921.

Abstract

Background: To investigate the efficacy of technology-assisted rehabilitation compared to that of usual care programs after total hip arthroplasty (THA) through randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: The Medline (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for RCTs regarding the efficacy of technology-assisted rehabilitation following THA. Data were analyzed using Stata 12.0 software.

Results: Eleven RCTs involving 1327 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect size showed that compared to usual care, telerehabilitation significantly improved the Harris score (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58 to 0.90) and functional independence measure (FIM) score (SMD 1.26, 95% CI 0.48 to 2.03). In addition, video-based therapy could significantly improve walk test results (SMD 0.43, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.75).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that technology-assisted rehabilitation, especially telerehabilitation, have been shown to improve the physical function of patients following THA compared to conventional rehabilitation. More robust studies are needed to validate the long-term efficacy and safety of innovative technology-assisted training strategies.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Telerehabilitation* / methods
  • Walking