title: Balance Training With a Dynamometric Platform Following Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: Sensorimotor training has proven to be an efficient approach for recovering balance control following total knee replacement (TKR). The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the influence of specific balance-targeted training using a dynamometric platform on the overall state of balance in older adults undergoing TKR.
  
  
  
  This was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at a university hospital rehabilitation unit. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a control group or an experimental group. Both groups participated in the same 4-week postoperative rehabilitation training protocol. Participants in the experimental group performed additional balance training with a dynamometric platform consisting of tests related to stability challenges, weight-shifting, and moving to the limits of stability. The primary outcome measure was the overall state of balance rated according to the Berg Balance Scale. Secondary outcomes in terms of balance were the Timed Up and Go Test, Functional Reach Test, and Romberg open and closed-eyes tests. Data processing included between-group analysis of covariance, minimal detectable change assessment for the primary outcome measure, and effect size estimation. Confidence intervals (CIs) were set at 95%.
  
  
  
  Forty-three participants meeting the inclusion criteria and having signed the informed consent were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Thirty-seven completed the training (86.1%). Significant between-group differences in balance performance were found as measured with the Berg Balance Scale (P = .03) and Functional Reach Test (P = .04) with a CI = 95%. Significant differences were not recorded for the Timed Up and Go Test or Romberg open and closed-eyes tests (P > .05). Furthermore, Cohen's effect size resulted in a value of d = 0.97, suggesting a high practical significance of the trial.
  
  
  
  According to the Berg Balance Scale and Functional Reach Test, participants with TKR who have followed a 4-week training program using a dynamometric platform improved balance performance to a higher extent than a control group training without such a device. The inclusion of this instrument in the functional training protocol may be beneficial for recovering balance following TKR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.|Hospital Clínic Universitari de València, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roig-Casasús
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Blasco
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.|Hospital Clínic Universitari de València, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López-Bueno
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: María Clara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Blasco-Igual
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome