Physical Activity Interventions After Hip or Knee Joint Replacement: a Systematic Review

Adding Behaviour-Change Counselling to an Exercise Program for Adults Preparing for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Improves Psychological and Physical Wellness: Focus Group Reflections

PURPOSE

To explore participant experiences for people on an arthroplasty waitlist, randomised to an exercise and behaviour-change counselling program (ENHANCE). The ENHANCE program for arthroplasty patients was led by an accredited exercise physiologist who delivered an individually tailored and structured exercise program. Included in the exercise program were up to five in-person counselling sessions, based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) applied specifically to people with osteoarthritis. Nine adults (mean 69.4 years) who were on the waiting list for a total hip or knee arthroplasty and who had completed a 12-week program (ENHANCE) as part of a randomised controlled trial were recruited for this study.

METHODS

Two focus groups were conducted to explore participant experiences of ENHANCE. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis with constructs of the HAPA (motivational and volitional factors) as a framework.

RESULTS

We identified three themes (1) 'The structured program addressed inactivity and improved feelings of wellness and preparation for the operation'. The benefits were not only physical, but psychological and were contextualised in terms of preparation for the upcoming surgery. (2) 'People as enablers of participation': Participants identified that the attitude, and skill of the experienced instructor were supportive and motivating, especially in tailoring the intervention. Within the program, the support of the group was considered a positive attribute (3) 'Improved awareness changed attitudes to self-efficacy and perceived self-control'. Participants described an increased awareness of their condition and a better understanding of health expectations. They felt more control and ownership over their health journey.

CONCLUSION

Goal setting and social support were identified factors in a behaviour-change counselling program, delivered in conjunction with structured exercise that led to a positive experience. Improved psychological and physical health were described. Participants were better prepared for their upcoming surgery, with increased self efficacy and mastery to support long-term physical-activity engagement.

Being active with a total hip or knee prosthesis: a systematic review into physical activity and sports recommendations and interventions to improve physical activity behavior

Objectives

Regular physical activity (PA) is considered important after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Objective was to systematically assess literature on recommendations given by healthcare professionals to persons after THA and TKA and to provide an overview of existing interventions to stimulate PA and sports participation.

Methods

A systematic review with a narrative synthesis including articles published between January 1995 and January 2021 reporting on recommendations and interventions. The PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases were systematically searched for original articles reporting on physical activity and sports recommendations given by healthcare professionals to persons after THA and TKA, and articles reporting on interventions/programs to stimulate a physically active lifestyle after rehabilitation or explicitly defined as part of the rehabilitation. Methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The review was registered in Prospero (PROSPERO:CRD42020178556).

Results

Twenty-one articles reported on recommendations. Low-impact activities were allowed. Contact sports, most ball sports, and martial arts were not recommended. One study informed on whether health-enhancing PA recommendations were used to stimulate persons to become physically active. No studies included recommendations on sedentary behavior. Eleven studies reported on interventions. Interventions used guidance from a coach/physiotherapist; feedback on PA behavior from technology; and face-to-face, education, goal-setting, financial incentives and coaching/financial incentives combined, of which feedback and education seem to be most effective. For methodological quality, 18 out of 21 (86%) articles about recommendations and 7 out of 11 (64%) articles about interventions scored yes on more than half of the MMAT questions (0–5 score).

Conclusion

There is general agreement on what kind of sports activities can be recommended by healthcare professionals like orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists. No attention is given to amount of PA. The same is true for limiting sedentary behavior. The number of interventions is limited and diverse, so no conclusions can be drawn. Interventions including provision of feedback about PA, seem to be effective and feasible.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11556-022-00285-1.