This randomized controlled study evaluated adherence to two home-based programs after total knee arthroplasty. All participants received a structured home-based physiotherapy program for 6 weeks. Participants assigned to the intervention group additionally performed an audio-guided, music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation program. Adherence to the home-based programs was assessed using participant-completed activity diaries. The study also explored changes in pain at rest, during walking, and at night; osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness, and physical function; sleep quality; depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms; operated-side knee range of motion; lower-extremity physical performance; functional mobility; and health-related quality of life from preoperative baseline to postoperative week 6.
Patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty for knee osteoarthritis were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group or a control group using a computer-generated random allocation sequence. All participants received standard postoperative physiotherapy during hospitalization. At discharge, both groups received a structured home-based physiotherapy program and individual instruction on correct exercise performance. The physiotherapy program was prescribed for 6 weeks, 5 days per week, twice daily. Participants recorded completed sessions in an activity diary. In addition to home-based physiotherapy, participants in the intervention group received an audio-guided, music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation program. The approximately 27-minute audio recording included verbal instructions for diaphragmatic breathing and the sequential contraction and relaxation of major muscle groups, accompanied by instrumental background music. Participants were instructed to complete one relaxation session before bedtime, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks, and to record each completed session in an activity diary. At the end of the first postoperative week, participants were contacted individually to review program performance, correct potential errors, answer questions, and address difficulties related to home practice. The primary feasibility outcome was adherence to the prescribed home-based programs. Physiotherapy adherence was calculated as the percentage of completed sessions out of 60 prescribed sessions. Progressive muscle relaxation adherence was calculated as the percentage of completed sessions out of 30 prescribed sessions. Participants completing at least 80% of the prescribed sessions were classified as adherent. Participants who did not meet the adherence criterion for progressive muscle relaxation were asked structured questions about the reasons for non-adherence. Exploratory clinical assessments were performed preoperatively and at postoperative week 6. These assessments included pain intensity at rest, during walking, and at night; osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness, and physical function; sleep quality; depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms; operated-side knee flexion and extension range of motion; lower-extremity functional performance; functional mobility; and health-related quality of life. Because the study primarily focused on adherence and feasibility, analyses of clinical outcomes were considered exploratory rather than confirmatory.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
Participants received a structured home-based physiotherapy program after discharge following primary total knee arthroplasty. The program was prescribed for 6 weeks, 5 days per week, twice daily. Participants received individual instruction on correct exercise performance and a printed home exercise booklet. Completed sessions were recorded in an activity diary. At the end of the first postoperative week, an individual online contact was conducted to review exercise performance, correct possible errors, and answer questions related to home practice.
Participants in the experimental arm received an approximately 27-minute audio-guided, music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation program in addition to home-based physiotherapy. The program was performed once before bedtime, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks. Participants received individual instruction in diaphragmatic breathing, sequential contraction and relaxation of major muscle groups, safe home practice, and use of the audio recording. The recording included verbal guidance delivered by a female voice with instrumental background music and was provided in MP3 format for use on participants' smartphones. Completed sessions were recorded in an activity diary, and an individual online contact was conducted at the end of the first postoperative week.
Denizli Private Denipol Hospital, Denizli, Türkiye
Denizli, Turkey (Türkiye)
Adherence to Home-Based Physiotherapy
Participants recorded each completed home-based physiotherapy session in weekly activity diaries. Adherence was calculated as the percentage of completed sessions out of 60 prescribed sessions over 6 weeks. Participants who completed at least 48 of 60 sessions, corresponding to at least 80% of the prescribed program, were classified as adherent. The number and percentage of adherent participants were determined for each study arm.
Time frame: From discharge through postoperative week 6
Adherence to the Music-Assisted Progressive Muscle Relaxation Program
Participants assigned to the experimental arm recorded each completed progressive muscle relaxation session in weekly activity diaries. Adherence was calculated as the percentage of completed sessions out of 30 prescribed sessions over 6 weeks. Participants who completed at least 24 of 30 sessions, corresponding to at least 80% of the prescribed program, were classified as adherent. The number and percentage of adherent participants were determined.
Time frame: From discharge through postoperative week 6
Pain Intensity at Rest Assessed With the Visual Analog Scale
Pain intensity at rest was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Pain Intensity During Walking Assessed With the Visual Analog Scale
Pain intensity during walking was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Night Pain Intensity Assessed With the Visual Analog Scale
Pain intensity at night was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index
Knee osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness, and physical function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The index consists of 24 items: 5 pain items, 2 stiffness items, and 17 physical function items. Each item is scored from 0 to 4. The pain score ranges from 0 to 20, the stiffness score from 0 to 8, the physical function score from 0 to 68, and the total score from 0 to 96. Higher scores indicate greater pain and stiffness, greater functional limitation, and poorer overall functional status.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which evaluates subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. The seven component scores were summed to obtain a global score ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21
Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were assessed using the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). The scale includes three 7-item subscales: depression, anxiety, and stress. Each item is scored from 0 to 3. Each subscale sum was multiplied by 2, yielding a final score ranging from 0 to 42. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Knee Range of Motion
Active knee flexion and extension range of motion of the operated limb were measured separately in degrees using a universal goniometer. Greater knee flexion and a smaller extension deficit, represented by values closer to 0 degrees, indicate better operated-side knee range of motion.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
30-Second Chair Stand Test
Lower-extremity functional performance was assessed using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test. Participants were instructed to rise fully from and return to sitting on a standard chair as many times as possible within 30 seconds. The number of correctly completed repetitions was recorded. A higher number of repetitions indicates better lower-extremity functional performance.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Timed Up and Go Test
Functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test. Participants were instructed to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return to the chair, and sit down. The time required to complete the test was recorded in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better functional mobility.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
Nottingham Health Profile
Health-related quality of life was assessed using Part I of the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Part I consists of 38 items across six domains: energy level, pain, emotional reactions, sleep, social isolation, and physical mobility. Each domain score ranges from 0 to 100, and the Part I total score ranges from 0 to 600. Domain scores and the Part I total score were calculated. Higher scores indicate poorer perceived health status.
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative week 6
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