Abstract

PURPOSE
The focus of this research was a systematic review of published articles and theses for a degree in Korea and foreign countries on rehabilitation therapy for patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
METHODS
The literature until December in 2011 were searched and the data basis included Medline, CINAHL, KERIS, National Library of Korea, and National Assembly Library web sites. Words for the search were TKA or TKA and rehabilitation. Studies included randomized controlled and non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. 31 studies were analyzed focusing on type, application method, dependant variable and effect using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
Seventeen rehabilitation therapies and forty-nine dependant variables were used. The application methods of rehabilitation therapy were diverse. The most frequently used rehabilitation type was an exercise therapy and a pain/discomfort was the most frequently used dependant variable. The effects of rehabilitation therapy were inconsistent.
CONCLUSION
The individualized rehabilitation therapy must be comprised of type, time, frequency, period and duration. Attention must be made as to the research design, especially the better measurement of the dependent variables. This review may serve as a base for future research.