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The Use of NMES as a Home-based Therapy Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Not Applicable
Conditions
Venous Thrombosis
Interventions
Device: Custom-built research muscle stimulator
Registration Number
NCT02343198
Lead Sponsor
National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Brief Summary

The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as a home-based therapy following total knee arthroplasty. Measures of interest: lower limb venous hemodynamics, joint range of motion, lower limb swelling, walking speed, quality of life, activities of daily living, device usability, device compliance, activity levels, and pain (VAS).

Detailed Description

The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as a home-based therapy following total knee arthroplasty. All participants receive and use a research stimulator for approximately 5 weeks following total knee arthroplasty. Participants randomised to either a stimulation group or placebo-controlled group. Stimulation of the soleus muscle to investigate the effects on lower limb venous hemodynamics, joint range of motion, lower limb swelling, walking speed, quality of life, activities of daily living, device usability, device compliance, activity levels, and pain (VAS) in both groups.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Any patient undergoing knee arthroplasty in the Galway Clinic with an ability to understand the nature of the study
  • Ability to give informed consent
  • Not excluded based on exclusion criteria
Exclusion Criteria
  • history of symptomatic heart disease or severe arterial disease
  • pregnancy
  • presence of a pacemaker
  • history of neurological disorder
  • presence of cognitive difficulties which may prevent the patient or his/her carer from using the stimulator properly

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
StimulationCustom-built research muscle stimulatorCustom-built research muscle stimulator. Muscle stimulator is set to provide a comfortable stimulation when applied to the soleus muscle using two 5x5cm electrodes.
Placebo-controlCustom-built research muscle stimulatorCustom-built research muscle stimulator. Muscle stimulator is set to provide sensory stimulation but will not cause an active muscle contraction. Stimulation is also delivered to the soleus muscle through two 5x5cm electrodes.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Lower limb venous hemodynamics using Doppler ultrasoundParticipants will be followed from baseline (on average one week pre-operation) up to 6 weeks post-operation

Venous hemodynamics using Doppler ultrasound

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Joint range of motion Knee and ankle range of motion using a goniometerParticipants will be followed from baseline (on average one week pre-operation) up to 6 weeks post-operation

Knee and ankle range of motion using a goniometer

Lower limb swelling Circumference measures and volume calculationsParticipants will be followed from baseline (on average one week pre-operation) up to 6 weeks post-operation

Circumference measures and volume calculations

Pain (associated with stimulation) on a visual analogue scaleParticipants will be followed from baseline (on average one week pre-operation) up to 6 weeks post-operation

Visual analogue scale

Activity levels ActivPAL activity monitorParticipants will be followed from baseline (on average one week pre-operation) up to 6 weeks post-operation

ActivPAL activity monitor

Activities of daily living Lawton, Katz, Barthel scalesOne week (on average) pre-operation, 3 weeks post-operation and 6 weeks post-operation

Lawton, Katz, Barthel scales

Quality of life QoL scales- Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)One week (on average) pre-operation, 3 weeks post-operation and 6 weeks post-operation

QoL scales- Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)

Compliance with use of the custom-built research muscle stimulatorParticipants will be followed from baseline (on average one week pre-operation) up to 6 weeks post-operation

Compliance with the use of the research stimulator, i.e. adherence to the stimulation protocol for both the number of sessions and the duration of stimulation for each session over the 5 weeks the stimulator is used for

Device usability System Usability Scale (SUS), Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) scales6 weeks post-operation

System Usability Scale (SUS), Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) scales

Walking speed 10 metre walk testParticipants will be followed from baseline (on average one week pre-operation) up to 6 weeks post-operation

10 metre walk test

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Galway Clinic

🇮🇪

Galway, Ireland

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