Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Pilot Sensor Randomized Controlled Trial: Setting Expectations to Increase Satisfactory Outcomes After Total Knee Replacement

This study aims to make people more satisfied after a total knee replacement, as about 1 in 5 patients are unhappy with their results. Often, this is because their expectations about how much they’d recover aren't met, especially regarding physical activities. Researchers have developed a new tool that uses sensors and computer learning to predict how well an individual patient might move after surgery. This study will compare patients who are told their specific expected outcome using this tool with those who receive standard information. The main goal is to see if knowing what to expect leads to higher satisfaction one year after surgery. This could also help save healthcare costs by reducing follow-up visits from unhappy patients.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Enrolment target

Start

16 Aug 2021

Estimated completion

01 May 2025

Patient Satisfaction

What is this study about?

Knee replacement surgery is very common in Canada, with many people getting new knees each year. It can significantly improve a person’s quality of life and is a valuable treatment. However, it's known that a fair number of people – about 20%, or one in five – aren't completely happy with their results after surgery. Often, this unhappiness comes from what they expected the outcome to be not matching what actually happened, especially when it comes to how much active they can be.

Researchers think that if patients have a clearer, more realistic idea of what to expect from their knee replacement before the operation, they might be more satisfied with the results. To help with this, a new tool has been created. This tool uses special sensors worn around the knee during a simple movement test. It then uses computer learning to predict whether a patient is likely to maintain or improve their movement after surgery.

This study will explore whether sharing these individual predictions with patients before their surgery can actually make a difference to their satisfaction. They will compare two groups: one group will be told their predicted outcome using this new tool, and the other group will receive the usual pre-surgery information. The main aim is to see if the group who knows their specific expected outcome reports higher satisfaction one year after their knee replacement.

Key takeaways

About 1 in 5 people are unhappy after knee replacement surgery.
Unhappiness often comes from unmet expectations about physical activity.
A new tool predicts individual movement ability after surgery using sensors.
The study tests if knowing your predicted outcome increases satisfaction.
Participating involves assessments and potentially receiving personalised predictions.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you would generally need to be an adult having knee replacement surgery because of arthritis that wears away your joints (osteoarthritis). Your surgery must be your first knee replacement on that knee.

There are also reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you've had surgery on that knee before, or if your arthritis is due to an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis, you wouldn't be eligible. Also, if you have a nerve or muscle problem that affects how you walk, or if you're planning to have both knees replaced at the same time, this study wouldn't be right for you.

Finally, you need to be able to read, write, and speak English to take part in this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you having your first knee replacement on that knee for osteoarthritis?
Do you have inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis) or a condition affecting your walking?
Have you had previous surgery on the knee being replaced?
Are you having both knees replaced at the same time?
Can you read, write, and speak English?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you will likely have an additional appointment before your knee replacement surgery where you'll use a sensor system to assess your knee movement. You will then either be told your predicted functional outcome or receive standard pre-operative information. After your surgery, the main part of your involvement will be completing questionnaires and assessments, with a key check-in around one year after your operation to measure your satisfaction.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the potential benefit of receiving more personalised information about your expected recovery after knee replacement, which could lead to increased satisfaction. However, there are no guaranteed benefits, and the study involves no new medications or surgical techniques, so major medical risks are not directly associated with participation itself. You always have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

London Health Science Centre
Verified postcode
London, Canada

Common questions

What is a 'total knee replacement'?

This is an operation where parts of the damaged knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts, usually made of metal and plastic.

Why are some people unhappy after knee replacement?

Often, it's because what they expected their knee to be able to do, especially with movement and activity, doesn't match what actually happens.

What is the new 'prediction tool'?

It's a way to use special sensors and computer analysis to estimate how well an individual person might be able to move after their knee replacement surgery.

Will I get this new information if I join the study?

Some participants in the study will receive this predicted outcome, while others will receive the standard information given before surgery. This is to compare how helpful the new information is.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your main involvement in the study will typically be for about one year after your knee replacement surgery, primarily through questionnaires and assessments.