Telemedicine Reports (May 2024)

Effectiveness of Inertial Measurement Unit Sensor?Based Feedback Assistance in Telerehabilitation of Patients with Diabetes after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Runhua Zhou,
  • Tianyi Wu,
  • Lihua Huang,
  • Hui Wang,
  • Shengdi Lu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1089/TMR.2024.0008
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 141 – 151

Abstract

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Background: Diabetes mellitus leads to a high risk of knee osteoarthritis, which would require total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Functional rehabilitation is often used for TKA, and telerehabilitation is gaining popularity in postoperative functional rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor can improve the functional results of telerehabilitation. Method: This prospective randomized controlled trial included participants from a single orthopedic center in China. In total, 131 patients participated in this study, which was a two-arm, single-assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups the telerehabilitation group with IMU sensor-based feedback assistance (IMU group) or without IMU sensor-based feedback assistance (TELE group). The TELE group received a 6-week home-based rehabilitation program with video instructions on a tablet and remote coaching, whereas the IMU group received the same rehabilitation program and remote coaching; the program was assisted by an inertial sensor system. Patients were evaluated at baseline, hospital discharge, 8 weeks, and 24 weeks after surgery. The primary outcome measure was the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Secondary outcome measures included range of motion, functional, and strength tests. Results: A total of 116 participants completed this study (59 in IMU, 57 in TELE group). No significant demographic differences were noted. KOOSs and muscle strength in both groups improved over time. There were significant benefits of IMU group in most comparisons at the 24-week assessments, adjusted for baseline value. Conclusion: Our results showed that IMU sensor can improve functional results of telerehabilitation in diabetic patients after TKA. Trial Registration: ChiCTR2100053313.

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