SynthesisJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2025
Smart device-assisted telerehabilitation versus conventional rehabilitation after total nee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effectiveness of Interactive Remote Rehabilitation After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Pooled it
- From One-Size-Fits-All to Data-Driven Recovery: A Narrative Review of Wearable Technologies Toward Personalized Rehabilitation After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.Journal of personalized medicine · 2026Review
- Effects of Exercise-Based Telerehabilitation for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and a Study Protocol.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains the definitive treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA). Despite its success, post-operative rehabilitation continues to be challenged by limited access to care, inconsistent patient compliance, and a lack of standardized protocols. In response, smart device-assisted telerehabilitation has gained attention for its capacity to deliver real-time monitoring and individualized feedback. However, its comparative effectiveness relative to traditional rehabilitation approaches remains inconclusive.
methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing smart device-assisted telerehabilitation to conventional rehabilitation following TKA. Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Key outcomes assessed were pain (Visual Analog Scale (VAS)), functional recovery (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)), and range of motion (ROM) (knee flexion and extension angles). Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0, with heterogeneity evaluated via the I
resultsA total of 22 RCTs encompassing 2,181 participants were included. Overall, there were no significant differences between smart and conventional rehabilitation regarding VAS (SMD = 0.02, 95% CI: - 0.24 to 0.28) and WOMAC scores (SMD = - 0.27, 95% CI: - 0.60 to 0.06). Subgroup analyses revealed that augmented reality (AR) interventions were associated with greater pain reduction (VAS: SMD = - 1.12, 95% CI: - 1.98 to - 0.25), and virtual reality (VR) interventions led to significant functional improvement (WOMAC: SMD = - 0.47, 95% CI: - 0.82 to - 0.13). Furthermore, smart rehabilitation yielded superior outcomes in knee extension angle (SMD = - 0.15, 95% CI: - 0.28 to - 0.02). Sensitivity and publication bias analyses confirmed the stability of the results.
conclusionSmart device-assisted telerehabilitation is comparable to conventional rehabilitation in overall outcomes after TKA. However, AR and VR technologies demonstrate added value in specific domains of recovery, suggesting that future rehabilitation programs should consider integrating these modalities to enhance effectiveness and personalization of care.
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