In a sample of AP candidates, evaluate and compare the effects of three Teleprehab programs. In a sample of AP candidates, evaluate and compare the effects of three Teleprehab programs.
From April 15th to October 15th, 2023, 30 patients (15 Females), aged 55 to 80 years, candidates for AP, were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three study groups: Electrostimulation (ES), Supervised Exercises (SV) and Brochure (BR). Five weeks before the AP they were contacted for training in the assigned program that lasted four weeks and included three weekly sessions of 30 minutes each. ES received at home an electrostimulator with a preset program (I-Tech Physio, I-Tech Medical Division, I.A.C.E.R. S.r.l., Scorzè, Italia) and used it autonomously. SV performed all the online exercises sessions with the physiotherapist. BR performed the same exercises as SV independently using a brochure. The day before start (T0) and the one after the end of the Teleprehab (T1) the 30 seconds Chair Stand Test (30CST) and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) were done. The Oxford questionnaire, Hip or Knee, was also administered. On the fourth (Ts) and tenth day post AP (Te) the 6 Minutes Walking Test (6MWT) was done and at discharge, the days of hospitalization were counted.
Values are expressed as mean and standard deviation; significance was set for p ≤ 0.05. At T1 compared to T0 all outcomes improve in all groups. 30CST: ES (13.80±1.98, 12.00±2.53, p0.001), SV (12.40±2.06, 10.90±3.31, p0.105), BR (12.20±1.61, 10.00±1.82, p0.001). TUG: ES (9.90±1.85, 11.60±2.22, p0.001), SV (9.62±1.70, 11.59±3.41, p0.047), BR (10.70±2.31, 12.50±2.95, p0.001). OXFORD: ES (28.40±3.43, 22.80±4.05, p0.001), SV (29.30±6.92, 28.50±8.61, p0.684), BR (25.20±2.61, 21.60±1.83, p0.001). At Te compared to Ts, 6MWT improves significantly in all groups: ES (316.00±68.42, 176.00±34.94, p0.005), SV (380±69.63, 150.00±37.85, p0.005), BR (311±64.16, 180.50±66.76, p0.001). Hospitalization days are similar: ES (13.90±3.78), SV (15.60±2.36), BR (14.80±3.94). There are no significant differences between the groups.
All Teleprehab programs improved functional abilities of patients. The use of electrostimulation appears to be more effective and efficient than the others.
Telepreab's programs seems to be effective in improving functional abilities of patients who are candidates for elective AP and should be included in the clinical protocol.
Tele-prehabilitation
