Comparison of voice call based and multimodal telerehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Study Summary

50 patients who underwent unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to receive multimodal telerehabilitation (MTR) or voice call-based telerehabilitation (VTR). The primary outcome of interest was active knee flexion range of motion (ROM). Secondary outcomes included pain intensity, physical function, functional performance, quadriceps muscle strength, fear of movement, artificial joint awareness, and exercise adherence. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks postoperatively, with selected measures assessed only at weeks 4 and 8. Overall, the results revealed that both interventions improved knee flexion ROM and functional outcomes, although MTR produced significantly greater improvements in pain, knee mobility, muscle strength, physical performance, and fear of movement compared with VTR. These findings suggested that incorporating video-based exercise instruction and multiple communication methods into telerehabilitation could enhance early postoperative recovery following TKA.