The effect of a preoperative physical therapy education program on short-term outcomes of patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty: A controlled prospective clinical trial

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Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a preoperative physical therapy education program on the shortterm outcomes of patients undergoing elective Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).Methods: A prospective, parallel-group controlled clinical trial was conducted from September 2016 to July 2018. Fifty patientswho were scheduled for a first elective THA procedure were recruited and were equally allocated into one of two groups:intervention and control groups. While all patients received the routine preparation for the procedure, the intervention groupunderwent an additional structured physical therapy education session. Functional status was evaluated using The Oxford HipScore (OHS) preoperatively and 6 weeks after the operation. Length of Hospital Stay (LOS) was recorded. State anxiety wasmeasured by the state-anxiety portion of the Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire preoperatively and onthe second postoperative day. Gait and balance abilities were assessed using Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment(POMA) test on the second postoperative day. Pain at rest and during weight-bearing was measured by a Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) on the postoperative second day. Satisfaction rates were evaluated by the NRS 6 weeks after the operation.Results: Forty-seven patients completed the study. The intervention group consisted of 24 patients (10 males, 14 females; meanage = 64.29 ± 6.7 years), and the control group consisted of 23 patients (7 males, 16 females; mean age = 65.91 ± 10.19 years). Themean postoperative OHS was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (39.04 ± 3.99 vs 28.04 ± 7.23,P < 0.001). Both groups increased their functional abilities 6 weeks postoperatively; however, the intervention group showeda greater increase than the control group (P = 0.001). No significant difference was found in the LOS between the control(2.83 ± 0.71) and intervention groups (2.71 ± 0.62) (P = 0.551). Patients in the intervention group exhibited lower rates of anxietytwo days after the operation compared with the controls (17.75 ± 6.50 vs 27.70 ± 10.32, P < 0.001). The intervention group showedhigher postoperative POMA scores compared to the control group (19.67 ± 3.89 vs 15.39 ± 5.85, P = 0.005). Although nosignificant difference was observed in resting pain between groups (P = 0.105), the intervention group reported a lower painintensity while walking compared to the control group (5.04 ± 1.68 vs 6.39 ± 2.62, P = 0.041). While both groups reported highsatisfaction rates 6 weeks postoperatively, patients in the intervention group were more satisfied than those in the control group(9.67 ± 0.91 vs 8.35 ± 1.82, P = 0.003).Conclusion: A structured interactive preoperative physical therapy education program for patients undergoing a THA mayreduce anxiety, generate a faster recovery, reduce pain, and promote higher satisfaction. We recommend this program forroutine use.Level of Evidence: Level II, Therapeutic Study