Purpose
This study aimed to develop the progressive lower-extremity exercise program for patients with total knee replacement arthroplasty and to evaluate its effectiveness on knee functions. Methods: A non-equivalent quasi-experimental design with matching sample was used. The control group was recruited prior to the experimental group with the matched inclusion criteria for age, gender, and duration of osteoarthritis. The experimental group (n=34) participated in the 8-week progressive lower-extremity exercise program and completed both pretest and posttest with the dropout rates of 15%. The control group (n=35) received conventional exercise intervention during the study period with the dropout rates of 17.5%. Outcome measures were days to achieve possible range of motion, lower-extremity strength, and knee symptoms and function. Data were collected from April, 2019 to March, 2020 and analyzed with a x ² test, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS/WIN V. 23.0. Results: The progressive lower-extremity exercise program consisted of pre-op education, post-op progressive exercise provided 2~3 times/day with progressive intensity and duration, followed by pre-discharge education. The study participants were 71.7 years old in average, mostly women, and having osteoarthritis for 9.3 years. The experimental group reported significant improvement in lower-extremity strength and knee symptoms and function compared to their controls after 8 weeks based on interaction effects. No significant interaction effect was found in days to achieve possible range of motion. Conclusion: The progressive lower-extremity exercise program provided additional benefits over the conventional exercise to patients with total knee replacement arthroplasty. This program is easily applicable and useful as rehabilitation nursing strategies in this population.

Citations

• The Effects of a Self-Efficacy Theory-Based Exercise Program for Patients Undergoing with Total Knee Arthroplasty
  Kyung-Hye Park, Hee-Young Kang
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2024; 54(4): 547.     CrossRef
• Effects of lower-limb active resistance exercise on mobility, physical function, knee strength and pain intensity in patients with total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  Guo Wei, Zhenghui Shang, Yupeng Li, Yu Wu, Li Zhang
  BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of preoperative information on postoperative state anxiety, plasma cortisol, and pain for patients under total knee arthroplasty, and to provide generic data with nursing intervention for total knee arthroplasty.
METHODS
Data were collected from 34 patients who had total knee arthroplasty from January 3, 2003 to January 15, 2004. An experiment group of 17 patients was provided with pre-operative information prepared by the researchers; a control group of another 17 patients was provided with general information. Data were analyzed through Chi-squared test, t-test, paired t-test and ANCOVA using SPSS WIN 11.0.
RESULTS
There was no significant differences between the experiment group and the control group in post operative state anxiety(p=.612). However, there was statistically a significant difference between the above two groups in post operative plasma cortisol(p=.012). There was a statistically significant difference between the above two groups in post operative pain(p=.041).
CONCLUSION
According to the results of the study, the authors concluded that the preoperative information for patients under total knee arthroplasty had the effect on the decrease of postoperative plasma cortisol and pain.