Background: Total knee arthroplasty requires effective rehabilitation to achieve optimal results, but institutions often rely on unsupervised home exercises due to cost constraints. Wearable sensors have become increasingly popular as a potential method of monitoring patients remotely to ensure efficacy and compliance. This review assesses the current evidence for their use in remotely monitored rehabilitation following knee arthroplasty.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature from 1st January 2000 to 17th February 2022 was undertaken. Devices were categorised as joint-specific or physical activity sensors. Studies were classified as those providing remotely supervised rehabilitation as an additional or as an alternative intervention.
Results: Remotely supervised rehabilitation using wearable sensors demonstrated similar outcomes when provided as an alternative to standard care in most studies. One group found improved outcomes for knee-specific sensors compared with standard care. There were improved physical activity and healthcare resource use outcomes described in the literature where sensors were used in addition to standard care.
Discussion: This review found evidence for the use of wearable sensors in remotely supervised rehabilitation following knee arthroplasty surgery. This included methodological heterogeneity, differing definitions of standard care, and variable follow-up periods. Robust randomised control trial data with a longer follow-up period are needed.
Keywords: Knee arthroplasty; Knee replacement; Remote rehabilitation; Telerehabilitation; Wearable sensors.
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