Kinesiophobia is common after total knee arthroplasty and can negatively affect postoperative mobility outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of artificial intelligence-assisted motivational procedures on patients' fear of movement and mobility level after total knee arthroplasty. This study was conducted as a randomized, controlled, two-arm, parallel-design, single-blind trial in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 90 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty at a public hospital between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Data were collected before and after the intervention via the Patient Description Form, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, Patient Mobility and Observer Mobility Scales. The intervention group received an artificial intelligence-assisted motivational procedure before mobilization, whereas the control group received a standard procedure. The data were analyzed via SPSS version 27.0, and significance was set at p < 0.05. Following the motivational procedure, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, Patient Mobility and Observer Mobility Scale scores decreased significantly in the intervention group (p < 0.001), whereas the willingness to get up during the day increased (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the change in the daily number of times standing up was significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group (p = 0.049). Between-group analysis showed a greater reduction in kinesiophobia in the intervention group (− 3.58, 95% CI: − 6.23 to − 0.94; d = 1.01), indicating a large effect. Significant between-group differences were also observed in patient mobility (− 6.60, 95% CI: − 9.82 to − 3.38; d:1.30) and observer mobility (− 1.44, 95% CI: − 2.65 to − 0.25; d:0.95). Artificial intelligence-assisted motivational procedures were associated with a reduction in the fear of movement and improvements in mobility outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. These findings suggest that such approaches may support rehabilitation by addressing psychological barriers to movement. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects and clinical significance of these effects. NCT06758297 (Date: 26.12.2024)
Alptekin et al. (Mon,) studied this question.