Getting more active after knee replacement
Knee Arthroplasty Activity Trial (KArAT)
Phone coaching with motivational conversations plus small financial rewards aims to help adults who had knee replacement become more active and keep it up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166454 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you recently had a total knee replacement and finished acute rehab, this project offers regular phone-based coaching that uses motivational interviewing to help you set goals and overcome barriers to activity. Some participants will also receive financial incentives tied to meeting activity targets to provide immediate rewards for being active. Researchers will track participants' activity over time and compare groups to see which combination of coaching and incentives leads to sustained increases in physical activity and better value for the surgery. The team will also look at costs to determine whether the approach is a cost-effective way to boost long-term health after surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) who have undergone total knee replacement and completed initial post-surgical rehabilitation are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with medical restrictions that prevent increased activity, cognitive barriers to telephone coaching, or who are unwilling to engage with phone-based programs may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help knee replacement patients increase and maintain physical activity, improving overall health and the long-term value of surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Coaching and incentive programs have increased physical activity in other groups, but combining telephonic motivational interviewing with financial incentives after knee replacement is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Losina, Elena — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Losina, Elena
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.