The Effectiveness of Resistance Training for Patients With Degenerative Arthritis After Surgery

NCT07696195 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB114-014-B
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease that significantly impacts mobility and disability in older adults. This pilot randomized controlled study aimed to examine the effects of a three-month resistance training program on lower limb muscular endurance, balance performance, pain, and quality of life among patients who had undergone unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group receiving resistance training or the control group receiving routine postoperative rehabilitation. The study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of these interventions to provide insights into incorporating resistance training into postoperative nursing care and recovery programs.

Conditions

Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee

Keywords

Resistance Training; Total Knee Arthroplasty; Postoperative Rehabilitation; Muscular Endurance; Balance Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Lower Extremity Muscle Endurance

  Assessed using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test. This test measures the total number of completed stands a participant can perform from a seated position to a full stand within 30 seconds.

  A higher number of completed stands means a better outcome (better lower extremity muscular endurance). To ensure safety for postoperative patients, a four-legged walker is placed in front of the chair during testing.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Balance Performance

  Shorter completion times (fewer seconds) mean a better outcome (better dynamic balance performance).

Other Outcomes (2)

• Pain Intensity

  The score ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores mean a worse outcome (greater pain intensity). All assessments are conducted by the same researcher to ensure consistency.

• quality of life

  This 28-item instrument covers physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental factors. The total score ranges from 28 to 112 ,Higher scores mean a better outcome (better perceived quality of life).

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a progressive lower extremity resistance exercise program using 1-kg ankle weights (including seated knee extension, standing hamstring curls, and hip abduction) 3 times per week for 3 months, in addition to routine postoperative care.

Behavioral: Progressive Lower Extremity Resistance Exercise

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received routine postoperative rehabilitation care.

Behavioral: Routine Postoperative Rehabilitation Care

Interventions

Progressive Lower Extremity Resistance Exercise BEHAVIORAL

A 3-month progressive resistance training program utilizing 1-kg ankle weights, including seated knee extension, standing hamstring curls, and hip abduction. Training sessions were performed 3 times per week, with progressive adjustments in training volume (sets and repetitions) for both operated and non-operated limbs over the 3-month period.

Experimental Group

Routine Postoperative Rehabilitation Care BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the control group received routine postoperative rehabilitation care.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of osteoarthritis requiring first-time unilateral lower limb total joint arthroplasty
• No planned surgery on the contralateral limb
• Clear consciousness and ability to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese
• Independent ambulation before surgery
• Adequate vision and hearing (with correction if needed)
• Community-dwelling status
• Willing to participate in this study

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to ambulate independently
• Medical contraindications to exercise
• Severe musculoskeletal conditions other than osteoarthritis
• Same-day admission and surgery
• Bilateral joint arthroplasty

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tzu Chi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation

Hualien City, Taiwan, 97060, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 1, 2026
• First Posted: July 10, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 22, 2025
• Study Completion: August 19, 2025
• Last Updated: July 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)