Antigravity Treadmill After Joint Arthroplasty
Antigravity Treadmill Rehabilitation After Lower Limb Arthroplasty in Older Adults
Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences
60 participants
May 15, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of antigravity treadmill training and body weight-supported treadmill training in the rehabilitation of elderly patients (60-75 years) following hip or knee arthroplasty.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- individuals who have recently undergone hip or knee joint arthroplasty surgeries aged 60 years and above.
Exclusion Criteria4
- cognitive impairments that prevent independent completion of research questionnaires
- history of consciousness disturbances, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, or other severe psychiatric illnesses
- functional status preventing independent ambulation (wheelchair-bound or bedridden patients; orthopedic devices such as crutches or walker allowed)
- refusal to participate in the study at any stage
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Interventions
Antigravity treadmill training uses air pressure to reduce effective body weight during walking, minimizing joint load while preserving gait mechanics. The 6-week intervention includes five sessions per week within a 120-minute daily kinesitherapy program. Treadmill speed is individualized at baseline and increased by 0.5 km/h every two weeks. Unloading is progressively reduced: 60% support in weeks 1-2, 40% in weeks 3-4, and 20% in weeks 5-6, allowing gradual adaptation to full weight-bearing.
Body weight-supported treadmill training uses a harness-based system to partially offload body weight, promoting safe ambulation and gait normalization in early postoperative rehabilitation. The 6-week intervention includes five sessions per week within the 120-minute daily kinesitherapy program. Treadmill speed is individualized at baseline and increased by 0.5 km/h every two weeks, depending on tolerance. The unloading level remains constant and is individually adjusted to ensure safety.
Conventional rehabilitation follows standard postoperative protocols after hip or knee arthroplasty. The 6-week program includes five weekly sessions. Gait training is conducted in hospital corridors under physiotherapist supervision, using assistive devices as needed (crutches, walkers). Daily therapy includes 120 minutes of kinesiotherapy (general exercises and gait training), 30 minutes of ergotherapy to improve functional independence, and three individualized physical therapy procedures (laser therapy, magnetic therapy, or electrotherapy) tailored to patient needs.
Locations(1)
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NCT07040878