Visual-feedback Balance Platform Training Combined with Conventional Rehabilitation for Balance Function after Total Knee Arthroplasty

The aim of the protocol is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of combining conventional rehabilitation with visual-feedback balance platform training in elderly patients undergoing primary unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). The method shows a single-blind, randomized controlled trial that enrolled 60 patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA (23 males, 37 females). Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (n=30; mean age 69.60 ± 2.98 years) or an observation group (n=30; mean age 70.87 ± 4.26 years). The control group received conventional rehabilitation, while the observation group received conventional rehabilitation plus visual-feedback balance platform training. The visual feedback intervention commenced in the second postoperative week, conducted 5 times per week for 20-30 min per session, over a 5-week period. Balance function was evaluated using platform-specific metrics: Length of Movement Trajectory (LMT) and Area of Movement Ellipse (AME). Functional mobility was assessed via the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Single-Leg Stance (SLS), Timed Sit-to-Stand (STS), and Timed Stair Test (TST). Data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. After the 6-week program, both groups showed significant improvements across all parameters compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, the observation group exhibited significantly superior outcomes compared to the control group. Specifically, static stability metrics (LMT, AME) and TUGT performance were significantly better in the observation group (p < 0.01). Similarly, the observation group demonstrated significant improvement in SLS, STS, and TST (p < 0.05) compared to controls. Integrating visual-feedback balance platform training with conventional rehabilitation significantly enhanced static and dynamic balance function in elderly TKA patients, offering superior efficacy to conventional rehabilitation alone.