Robot‐assisted rehabilitation training improves knee function and daily activity ability in older adults following total knee arthroplasty

Abstract To evaluate the effects of robot‐assisted rehabilitation training on knee function and the daily activity ability of older adults following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Eighty‐eight patients who underwent TKA were randomly assigned to a robot‐assisted rehabilitation or traditional therapy group. The patients in the control group were treated with traditional manual rehabilitation therapy, while the patients in the experimental group were subjected to the robot‐assisted rehabilitation program. Range of motion of the knee joint, Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Rating Score, and the modified Barthel Index were assessed on the first or second day after TKA (preintervention) and the discharge day (postintervention). Additionally, the length of hospital stay and related hospitalization expenses of the two groups were collected on the discharge day. Improvements in the active range of motion ( p < 0.001), passive range of motion ( p = 0.001), Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Rating Score ( p < 0.001), and modified Barthel Index score ( p = 0.004) were significantly better in the robot‐assisted rehabilitation group than in the traditional therapy group. Interestingly, the length of hospital stay in the experimental group (9 days) was shorter than that in the control group (13 days), and the total cost of hospitalization was lower ( p = 0.002). The robot‐assisted rehabilitation training program is an effective intervention that significantly improves the daily activity ability and knee function of older adults following TKA.