Effect of visual feedback balance training on balance and walking ability of patients after total knee arthroplasty

Objective To explore the effect of visual feedback balance training using a D-WALL system on balance of knee joint function and walking ability of patients with total knee arthroplasty(TKA).

Methods Sixty patients with TKA were recruited as study objects, and were randomly divided into visual feedback group, conventional balance training group and control group, with 20 patients in each group. The control group only received routine rehabilitation training, the visual feedback group received balance training under visual feedback on the basis of the control group, and the conventional balance training group received routine balance training on the basis of the control group. Before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment, balance ability of three groups was tested using the D-WALL system, and their walking ability was assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test(TUGT).

Results There were no statistical differences among the three groups in the movement track area and area movement track perimeter when opening and closing eyes, and TUGT results before treatment (P>0.05). After a six-week treatment, the movement track area and area movement track perimeter when opening and closing eyes were less than those before treatment, and the above indexes were lower in the visual feedback group than in the conventional balance training group and the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The values of TUGT of control group, conventional balance training group and visual feedback group after 6 weeks of treatment were (14.1±1.9), (11.7±2.5), (9.6±2.0)s, respectively, which were shorter than (17.2±3.0), (15.8±3.6), (16.9±4.4)s before treatment, and the value of TUGT was lower in the visual feedback group than that in the conventional balance training group and the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Visual feedback balance training based on the D-WALL system can significantly improve the balance ability of patients with TKA, increasingly promote independent walking ability, thereby reducing the risk of falls.