Knee4Life Project: Empowering Knee Recovery After Total Knee Replacement Through Digital Health

Recruiting

• Conditions: Total Knee Replacement
• Interventions: Diagnostic Test: smartphone camera sensor tool

• Registration Number: NCT06429462
• Lead Sponsor: University of Exeter

Brief Summary

The research project will investigate the extent to which a smartphone camera sensor tool can help predict and measure knee stiffness and pain after Total Knee Replacement Surgery (TKR) and how a tool such as this could be implemented into the NHS.

Total knee replacement (TKR) is a frequent procedure undertaken in England and Wales, with more than 100,000 conducted each year. Although most patients have a successful outcome following their TKR, approximately 10-20% of patients are dissatisfied, predominantly because of pain and knee stiffness. A method to detect early problems with pain and stiffness could facilitate earlier referral to non-surgical treatments, which are effective in preventing the need for manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA). Here the investigators will validate and provide proof of concept for a smartphone camera sensor tool that measures knee range of motion alongside symptoms of pain for use in the home setting.

The study will comprise of 3 stages;

1. We will conduct 45 minute online interviews comprising of (1) people who have had total knee replacement surgery, (2) healthcare professionals and stakeholders.

2. We will invite 30 participants who are 5-9 weeks post TKR and 30 participants who have had no previous musculoskeletal injuries to attend a session at the university. The lab testing will be conducted at the VSimulator, a biomechanics research lab at the Exeter Science park, and at the teaching labs on St Lukes Campus, Exeter. Here participants be asked to answer 8 questionnaires and have some of their movements measured.

3. Participants will be asked to repeat the 'timed up and go' and the 'sit to stand' tests in their homes and record them using a mobile device.

The study is funded by the NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre grant and sponsored by the University of Exeter.

Detailed Description

1. Background

Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common procedure, with more than 100,000 per year undertaken in England and Wales. Although most patients have a successful outcome following their TKR, approximately 10-20% of patients are dissatisfied, chiefly because of pain and knee stiffness. A method to detect early problems with pain and stiffness could facilitate earlier referral to non-surgical treatments, which are effective in preventing the need for manipulation under anaesthetic \[MUA\]. Currently, rates of MUA are 2.5% (\~2,500 patients per year in England and Wales), costing \~£14k per procedure. Our current understanding of when stiffness develops and the timing and best treatment(s) for stiffness are limited. A recent James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership identified stiffness after TKR as a top-10 research priority to better understand and test interventions. Current measures are not accurate or suitable for use in the home. The investigators need tools to accurately measure early indicators for stiffness.

2. Rationale

The investigators currently have no tool to remotely and accurately detect development of early post-surgical knee stiffness. This study aims to develop a cost-effective tool to measure and quantify knee stiffness before and after total knee replacement (TKR) surgery for use across the NHS. The research seeks to understand how knee range of motion (ROM) recovers after TKR and detect early signs of stiffness. It also aims to predict who might develop stiffness after TKR and explore the relationship between pain and stiffness.

Current methods for measuring knee range of motion (ROM), such as hand-held tools for measuring angles, have limitations in terms of accuracy and need trained healthcare staff to use them. The ideal tool would be low-cost, easy to use, and provide rapid feedback to patients and clinical teams. The study will involve the development and validation of a computer vision-based approach (using cameras to assess movements) to monitor knee flexion and extension, and a walking pattern assessment. Video-based technology or computer vision (CV) has recently been pioneered in Exeter to measure spine movement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Computer vision is an emerging technology that has great potential for monitoring knee flexion in people with knee stiffness. This approach involves the use of cameras and machine learning algorithms to detect and analyse knee joint angles during movement automatically. By providing objective and accurate measurements of knee flexion, computer vision has the potential to improve the assessment of knee stiffness and facilitate targeted treatment interventions. However, as with any new technology, there is a need to validate the method in the context of patients with knee stiffness to ensure its accuracy and reliability. Studies have highlighted the importance of developing machine learning algorithms specifically for this patient population to account for individual differences in movement patterns and limitations due to stiffness. Further research is needed to assess the validity and feasibility of computer vision-based approaches for monitoring knee flexion in people with knee stiffness, which could ultimately improve the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of this condition.

Validation of the computer vision-based approach for monitoring knee flexion in people with knee stiffness is essential to ensure its reliability and accuracy. This requires developing and refining machine learning algorithms that can accurately detect and measure knee joint angles in this patient population. This study will evaluate the accuracy and precision of the algorithm against gold-standard measurement methods, such as motion capture or goniometry. Furthermore, this study will examine the sensitivity of the approach to changes in knee flexion due to stiffness and pain and assess its feasibility in a clinical setting. Once validated, the computer vision-based approach has the potential to provide a non-invasive and objective means of monitoring knee flexion in people with knee stiffness, which could inform treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.

Another tool which the investigators will use is the Gaitcapture app which takes advantage of the accelerometer and gyroscope sensor in a mobile phone and acts similarly to an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide us with acceleration and rotation data.

The validation of the computer vision-based approach will involve comparing it against gold-standard measurement methods (specialist physiotherapy assessment).

In addition to the computer vision-based approach, the study will utilise body-worn sensors and mobile apps to monitor the physical activity levels, walking patterns and step counts of participants. This data will provide insights into people with TKR's overall physical activity patterns and help evaluate the usability, acceptability, feasibility, and accuracy of the tools for diagnostics and monitoring.

The findings of this research project have the potential to improve the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of knee stiffness after total knee replacement (TKR), with the potential to reducing the need for MUA surgery. By providing accurate measurements and early detection, the tools developed in this study could enable earlier referral to non-surgical treatments and reduce the need for costly and risky procedures to improve knee range of motion (ROM) after total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, like a manipulation of the knee under anaesthesia.

Here, the investigators will conduct a validation study of a marker-less motion capture algorithm to determine its accuracy and assess its feasibility and usability for implementation on a large scale in the home. the investigators will also ascertain the test-retest reliability of algorithm outputs such as knee flexion/extension angles.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-05
• Study Start: 2024-05-01
• Study First Submitted: 2024-05-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-05-20
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-05-20
• Study First Posted: 2024-05-28
• Last Update Posted: 2024-05-28
• Primary Completion: 2025-05
• Study Completion: 2025-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 75

Inclusion Criteria

• People aged ≥18 years old
• Recently had a total knee replacement surgery or has worked with people following this surgery as a clinical, carer or therapist
• Able to give informed consent
• Able to communicate in English with the research team

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Exclusion Criteria

• Any medical condition compromising the safety or the ability to take part in the study
• Unable to adhere to study procedures

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Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Healthy Controls (lab assessment)	smartphone camera sensor tool	Participants will be asked to complete 8 questionnaires before the lab assessments: The data will be entered and saved onto REDCap by a member of the research team. The 8 questionnaires including baseline data are PROMIS-29 v2, Oxford Knee Score, IPAQ Short Last 7 Days, Numeric Rating Scale, Single Ease Question, Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living and EQ-5D-5L. Participants will be asked to complete the following: 2-minute walk on a treadmill 10 m walk (5 m x 2). Timed up and Go (TUG) Sit to stand test At home: TUG Sit to stand test
Participant post total knee replacement surgery (lab assessment)	smartphone camera sensor tool	Participants will be asked to complete 8 questionnaires before the lab assessments: The data will be entered and saved onto REDCap by a member of the research team. The 8 questionnaires including baseline data are PROMIS-29 v2, Oxford Knee Score, IPAQ Short Last 7 Days, Numeric Rating Scale, Single Ease Question, Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living and EQ-5D-5L. Participants will be asked to complete the following: 2-minute walk on a treadmill 10 m walk (5 m x 2). Timed up and Go (TUG) Sit to stand test At home: TUG Sit to stand test

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Predicting knee stiffness after surgery through analysis of knee joint angles	through study completion, an average of 1 year	To investigate who might develop stiffness after Total Knee Replacement surgery. This will be measured by looking at the range of motion of the knee using motion capture data.
Validation of the accuracy and reliability of camera sensor tool through comparison of knee joint angles based on motion capture from different sources	through study completion, an average of 1 year	To validate in the lab and provide proof of concept for a smartphone camera sensor tool that measures knee range of motion (ROM) alongside symptoms of pain for use in the home setting. This will be assessed by comparing the knee joint angles and range of motion measures using two different forms of motion capture during different movements.
Knee pain measured through the oxford pain score questionnaire	through study completion, an average of 1 year	Participants will be questioned on how painful their knee is post surgery using the Oxford pain score questionnaire.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility of clinical integration of camera sensor tool	through study completion, an average of 1 year	Through feedback from focus groups and assessment of accuracy and reliability, the camera sensor tool will be tested to see whether it could be considered a tool that would be used in clinical settings.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Exeter; 🇬🇧 Exeter, United Kingdom