Addressing Kinesiophobia in Post-Meniscoplasty Patients Through Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training and Acupressure

Gansu University of Chinese Medicine65 enrolled

Overview

The objective of this clinical trial is to determine whether progressive muscle relaxation training and acupressure can reduce kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in patients recovering from meniscoplasty surgery. The study will also monitor the safety of these non-pharmacological interventions. The main questions the trial aims to answer are: Does the combination of progressive muscle relaxation training and acupressure decrease kinesiophobia in post-meniscoplasty patients? What are the other benefits, if any, of these interventions in terms of pain management and functional mobility? Are there any negative effects associated with these treatments? Participants in the study will: Receive progressive muscle relaxation training and acupressure or a placebo control treatment for a duration of 3 months. Visit the clinic once every month for evaluation and follow-up treatments. Keep a journal recording their fear of movement levels, pain levels, and mobility status.

This study received approval from the Ethics Committee of a tertiary class A hospital in Lanzhou, ID 202159. The research period extended from December 2021 to February 2023. Subjects comprised patients who developed kinesiophobia following meniscus shaping surgery within the Sports Medicine Department of the aforementioned hospital in Lanzhou.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Meniscus Tear

Interventions

Enhanced Care with PMRT and AcupressureOTHER

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training (PMRT) is a structured strategy created to reduce psychological and physiological stress by alternating muscle contraction and relaxation.Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine's meridian theory, acupressure employs manipulative techniques on distinct acupoints to induce therapeutic effects 18. Targeting enhanced circulation, pain relief, muscle relaxation, and systemic regulation, acupressure's efficacy as both a preventive and therapeutic modality in complementary and alternative medicine is well-established

standard careOTHER

vital sign monitoring, positional support, dietary management, pain control, psychological support, functional training, and educational initiatives on health matters.

Eligibility

Sex: ALL

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients confirmed with meniscal damage as per established diagnostic guidelines and subjected to meniscus sculpting surgery * Individuals post-meniscus surgery exhibiting a Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) score exceeding 37 points * First-time patients receiving unilateral meniscal surgery * Exclusive employment of the meniscus sculpting surgical procedure * Participation were entirely voluntary for all research participants Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with compromised consciousness or communicative impairments * Individuals with a history or presence of post-surgical lower limb thrombosis, resulting in activity limitation * Patients enduring deformities in the hip or ankle joints * Those previously engaged in analogous research endeavors

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

TSK

The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) The TSK assesses fear of movement/(re)injury and ranges from 17 to 68, indicating the degree of fear; higher scores denote increased apprehension. It has a Cronbach's alpha of 0.70-0.92 and a test-retest reliability above 0.80 28, 29. The Chinese version of TSK was cross-culturally adapted and validated by Wei et al.displaying good reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.74) and validity (test-retest reliability: 0.86).

Time frame: Data from TSK were gathered within two days post-operation, on the first day after intervention (i.e., the third postoperative day), the fifth day (i.e., the seventh postoperative day), and on the day of discharge(up to 14 days).

VAS

Visual Analogue Scale（VAS） Pain levels were quantified using VAS, which rates pain intensity on a 100 mm line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain). The VAS is widely deemed a credible and efficacious pain rating tool 31.

Time frame: Data from VAS were gathered within two days post-operation, on the first day after intervention (i.e., the third postoperative day), the fifth day (i.e., the seventh postoperative day), and on the day of discharge(up to 14 days).

KSS

American knee society score（KSS ） The KSS scores knee functionality in two domains: self-reported symptoms, signs, and a functional component reflecting walking and stair climbing abilities. Higher scores represent more optimal knee function and mobility capacities. Each KSS domain is rated from 0 to 100 and can be considered individually or collectively.

Time frame: This scoring was performed on the day of patient discharge(up to 14 days).