Concurrent Force Feedback on Load Symmetry in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients.
Steni Sackiriyas, Becky Heinert, Drew Rutherford and 2 others
PMID 37547847WHAT IT FOUND
One session of force feedback improved load symmetry on the surgical leg immediately, but the benefit vanished after a week.
Clinicians should expect short-term gains only and anticipate needing repeated, faded feedback to sustain any change in movement patterns.
Key findings
01Mean load symmetry index decreased by 42.7% from baseline to post-feedback during squats, indicating improved loading on the surgical limb.
02Load symmetry returned to baseline values at the one-week retention test for both squats and leg presses.
03Participants relied more on the non-surgical limb during leg press exercises compared to body-weight squats at all time points.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
No control group was used, so it is unclear if the immediate changes were due to the feedback or simply the practice effect of performing the exercises. The study was underpowered with only 26 participants and varied significantly in time since surgery (3-14 weeks). The loadpad sensors may not be perfectly valid for peak force measurement, though they were deemed reliable for these specific static tasks. The one-week washout period may not reflect real-world rehabilitation where patients continue therapy.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that one session of visual force feedback will permanently correct movement patterns. The study showed that while symmetry improved immediately, it returned to baseline asymmetry within a week, meaning this technique requires ongoing, repeated practice to have any lasting effect.