Antigravity treadmill rehabilitation after hip or knee replacement
Antigravity Treadmill Rehabilitation After Lower Limb Arthroplasty in Older Adults
This project will test whether antigravity or body-weight-supported treadmill training helps people aged 60–75 recover walking, balance, and confidence after hip or knee replacement.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Trzebnica, Lower Silesian Voivodeship) |
| Trial ID | NCT07040878 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized controlled trial enrolling 60 patients aged 60–75 within three months of total hip or knee arthroplasty at a single rehabilitation center. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: antigravity treadmill training, body weight–supported treadmill training, or conventional gait rehabilitation, with 20 patients per group. All groups receive comprehensive daily therapy (kinesitherapy, ergotherapy, and physical therapy procedures) for six weeks under professional supervision. Outcomes will focus on gait, balance, fall risk, and psychological measures related to recovery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 60–75 who had total hip or knee arthroplasty within the past three months, can ambulate (with or without crutches) and can complete study questionnaires.
Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairment, severe psychiatric illness, or those who are wheelchair-bound or bedridden are unlikely to benefit from these treadmill-based programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the interventions could help older patients regain walking ability faster, lower fall risk, and improve confidence after joint replacement.
How similar studies have performed: Related work using antigravity and body-weight-supported treadmills in other rehabilitation settings has shown promise for improving gait and balance, though evidence specifically after arthroplasty remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * individuals who have recently undergone hip or knee joint arthroplasty surgeries aged 60 years and above. Exclusion Criteria: * cognitive impairments that prevent independent completion of research questionnaires * history of consciousness disturbances, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, or other severe psychiatric illnesses * functional status preventing independent ambulation (wheelchair-bound or bedridden patients; orthopedic devices such as crutches or walker allowed) * refusal to participate in the study at any stage
Where this trial is running
Trzebnica, Lower Silesian Voivodeship
- St. Hedwig of Silesia Hospital in Trzebnica — Trzebnica, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Justyna Mazurek, PhD — Wroclaw Medical University
- Study coordinator: Justyna Mazurek, PhD
- Email: justyna.mazurek@umed.wroc.pl
- Phone: 695180984
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.