The Effects of Mir Shakeel Teleintegrated Therapy Plan and Conventional Physical Therapy on Pain, Range of Motion, Gait, Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed Modified Structured Telerehabilitation Intervention Protocol (MSTITP) compared with conventional in-person physical therapy in patients recovering from Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). The study also explores whether a hybrid rehabilitation approach may further optimize patient outcomes. A total of eligible participants aged 50-65 years who have undergone primary TKA will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A (Intervention): Telerehabilitation-based structured exercise program (MSTITP) delivered through digital platforms with remote supervision. Group B (Control): Standard conventional face-to-face physiotherapy in a clinical setting. Both groups will receive rehabilitation programs of equal duration focusing on pain management, range of motion (ROM), muscle strengthening, gait training, and functional mobility. The primary objective is to compare the effectiveness of telerehabilitation and conventional therapy in improving pain, ROM, and gait performance. Secondary objectives include evaluation of exercise adherence, kinesiophobia, functional outcomes, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Additionally, the study will explore whether integrating telerehabilitation with conventional rehabilitation could provide superior outcomes. Outcome assessments will be conducted using validated tools including pain scales (VAS), goniometric ROM measurements, gait analysis, functional performance tests, and standardized questionnaires for quality of life, exercise adherence, and fear of movement. This study addresses the increasing burden of osteoarthritis and the growing number of TKA procedures in Pakistan. Telerehabilitation may offer a cost-effective, accessible, and scalable rehabilitation model that ensures continuity of care and improved access to physiotherapy services, particularly in resource-limited settings. The findings of this trial are expected to provide evidence for developing standardized, technology-assisted rehabilitation protocols to improve post-TKA recovery outcomes and reduce healthcare burden.
• Patients who have underwent a primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis
• Able to participate in a rehabilitation program, either telerehabilitation or in-person, and demonstrate sufficient mobility with or without assistive devices (e.g., crutches, walker) as deemed appropriate for post-TKA therapy.
• Participants must have reliable access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet connectivity and the ability to engage in video calls.
• Willing and able to provide informed consent, and to comply with all study protocols, including scheduled therapy sessions and follow-up assessments.