A Device for Prehabilitation of Total Knee Replacement Surgery (Slider): Usability Study.

Islam, Riasat; Gooch, Daniel; Karlakki, Sudheer; Price, Blaine

Abstract

Rehabilitation, or "prehabilitation," is essential in preparing for and recovering from knee replacement surgery. The recent demand for these services has surpassed available resources, a situation further strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a pivot toward digital solutions such as web- or app-based videos and wearables. These solutions, however, face challenges with user engagement, calibration requirements, and skin contact issues. This study evaluated the practicality of a low-contact, gamified device designed to assist with prehabilitation exercises. The study aimed to assess the practicality and user-friendliness of a newly designed physiotherapy device (Slider) that enables exercise monitoring without the need for direct contact with the skin. A total of 17 patients awaiting knee replacement surgery at a UK National Health Service (NHS) hospital participated in this study. They used the device over a 2-week period and subsequently provided feedback through a usability and acceptability questionnaire. The study was completed by all participants, with a majority (13/17, 76%) finding the device intuitive and easy to use. The majority of patients were satisfied with the device's ability to meet their presurgery physiotherapy requirements (16/17, 94%) and expressed a willingness to continue using it (17/17, 100%). No safety issues or adverse effects were reported by the participants. The results indicate that the device was found to be a feasible option for patients to conduct presurgery physiotherapy exercises independently, away from a clinical setting. Further research involving a larger and more diverse group of participants is recommended to validate these findings more robustly. [Abstract copyright: ©Riasat Islam, Daniel Gooch, Sudheer Karlakki, Blaine Price. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 18.12.2023.]

Citation

Islam, R., Gooch, D., Karlakki, S., & Price, B. (in press). A Device for Prehabilitation of Total Knee Replacement Surgery (Slider): Usability Study. JMIR Formative Research, 7, e48055. https://doi.org/10.2196/48055

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 22, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 18, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 26, 2024
• Journal: JMIR formative research
• Print ISSN: 2561-326X
• Publisher: JMIR Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Pages: e48055
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/48055
• Keywords: knee, usability, exergames, validation, software, postoperative, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, gamification, assistive technology, exercise, preoperative, self-regulated exercise, community physiotherapy, healthcare delivery, telerehabilitation, geriatri
• PMID: 38109191