Effect of Dynamic Balance Exercises Based on Visual Feedback on Physical Function, Balance Ability, and Depression in Women after Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dynamic balance exercises with and without visual feedback on recovery from total knee arthroplasty. The participants were 30 women who underwent total knee arthroplasty more than one week before the study, and were randomly allocated into two groups. The average ages of the experimental and control groups were 70.13 and 69.00 years, respectively. The dynamic balance exercise with visual feedback (VF) group practiced dynamic balance exercises using a laser pointer for five 30-min sessions over a 4-week period. The dynamic balance exercise without visual feedback (control) group practiced dynamic balance exercises for five 30 min sessions over a 4 week period. The following clinical measures were used for assessing physical function, balance ability, and depression. Compared with the control group, the VF group showed significant improvements in the physical performance test, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), confidence ellipse area (CEA), path length (PL), average velocity (AV), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG test) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the VF group showed significant improvements in all post-surgery outcome measures compared with the pre-surgery values (p < 0.05). The above results indicated that the dynamic balance exercises based on visual feedback improved physical function and balance ability in patients following total knee arthroplasty, suggesting the need for effective rehabilitation programs for patients with total knee arthroplasty.