Prehabilitation Using Aquatic Exercise

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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With aging population, total knee arthroplasty is performed with increasing frequency. Although the surgery is successful in general, significant number of patients suffers persistent pain and disability. Traditional risk assessment tool have been focused on single organ systems. Our investigators have found that mobility, assessed by the Mobility Assessment Tool short form (MAT-sf), is a simple and accurate method to predict postoperative outcome, including length of stay, postoperative complications, and nursing home placement for older patients. Prehabilitation is the process of enhancing a person's functional capacity to withstand an incoming stressor. Although multiple studies have tested prehabilitation before joint replacement surgery, results have been mixed. The investigators hypothesize that patients with limited mobility are most likely to benefit from prehabilitation. The investigators plan to use individualized aquatic exercise as a prehabilitation tool to enhance compliance; the resistance of water strengthen muscle and increasing energy expenditure; the buoyancy of water provides environment where the joints are not weight bearing. The aims of the study are: 1) To evaluate the feasibility of prehabilitation using 6-8 weeks of aquatic exercise in 40 geriatric patients who are scheduled for total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis; 2) To examine the effects of 6-8 weeks of aquatic exercise on mobility, pain, stiffness, physical function, cognitive function and depression; inflammatory markers and 3) To estimate the effect of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes. The investigators plan to enroll 40 patients age >50, who are scheduled for elective primary total knee replacement. Investigators will screen patients in the Preoperative Assessment Clinic and enroll patients who have decreased mobility, measured by MAT-sf. Patients will be randomized into either a prehabilitation group or a usual care group. All the participants will undergo extensive assessment on their pain, stiffness, and physical function, depression, balance and cognitive function using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the expanded Short Physical Performance Battery (eSPPB), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Serum inflammatory markers will be assessed at the baseline. The prehabilitation group will undergo 6-8 weeks of individualized aquatic exercise in a heated pool (60 min/session, 3 times per week). Aquatic equipment maybe used to challenge balance and trunk stabilization. All participants will be reassessed immediately before surgery and 4 weeks after the surgery using WOMAC, eSPPB, MoCA and MAT-sf. Serum inflammatory markers and body composition will be reassessed at the same time points. The primary outcome of interest is will be postoperative complications, length of stay, Intensive Care Unit length of stay, and institutionalization. If successful, investigators will have sound pilot data for several critical health outcomes with which to support an external proposal for a larger-scale study.

Official Title
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The Effects of Aquatic Prehabilitation in Knee OA Patients on Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes

Conditions
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Osteoarthritis, Knee

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Aquatic Prehab


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Signed Informed Consent Age > 50 Willingness to exercise in a pool 3 times a week MAT-Sf score ≤ 58 for men and ≤ 50 for women Participant is scheduled for primary total knee replacement surgery due to OA >4 weeks from expected BV visit Not involved in any other behavioral, exercise or investigational drug intervention study Exclusion Criteria: Impaired cognitive function (MoCA <21) Undergoing knee replacement surgery for indications other than OA Undergoing bilateral knee replacements Major deficits in hearing or vision Currently exercising more than 3 times per week Severe depression (GDS-sf ≥ 12) Contraindications to the pool: open wounds/ incontinence/history of seizures in last year

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Standard of Care<br>Participant will receive standard of care and a brochure on healthy eating. | |
| Active Comparator: Aquatic Prehabilitation Group<br>The prehabilitation group will undergo 6-8 weeks of individualized aquatic exercise in a heated pool (60 min/session, 3 times per week). Aquatic equipment maybe used to challenge balance and trunk stabilization. | Behavioral: Aquatic Prehab<br>* Pool therapy<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in physical function using the MAT-sf | Change in MAT-sf score from baseline (prior to surgery) to follow up (4-6 weeks after surgery) | 4-6 weeks after surgery | 
| Change in physical function using the eSPPB | Change in eSPPB score from baseline (prior to surgery) to follow up (4-6 weeks after surgery) | 4-6 weeks after surgery | 
| Change in physical function using the Postural Sway Force Plate | Change in postural sway score from baseline (prior to surgery) to follow up (4-6 weeks after surgery) | 4-6 weeks after surgery |