Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Digitally Supported Short-Term Prehabilitation Before Total Knee Replacement

Austria60 participantsStarted 2026-05-20

Plain-language summary

This study evaluates the feasibility of a short-term, digitally supported prehabilitation program for patients scheduled for elective total knee replacement (TKR). Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability, and recovery following TKR remains heterogeneous, with a substantial proportion of patients experiencing delayed functional recovery. Prehabilitation may improve perioperative outcomes, but its implementation is often limited by short preoperative time windows. The Prehab2Rehab-KneeTEP trial is a single-center, two-arm, randomized controlled feasibility study conducted in Austria. Patients will be randomized (1:1) to either a multimodal video-supported prehabilitation program or usual care. The intervention consists of a 10 to 14-day preoperative exercise program including strength, endurance, coordination, and gait training, supported by a digital application, and is complemented by a digitally supported transition phase after hospital discharge until the start of inpatient rehabilitation. The primary objective is to assess feasibility in terms of recruitment, retention, adherence, fidelity, acceptability, and safety. Secondary exploratory outcomes include clinical recovery indicators, functional performance, and patient-reported outcomes assessed across the perioperative pathway.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Eligibility will be determined during the outpatient consultations at the Medical Center in Bad Vigaun. Patients will be screened against the following criteria: * Age ≥18 years at the time of enrolment. * Clinically diagnosed with advanced osteoarthritis and with a medical indication for elective TKR. * Either a scheduled surgery or a documented intention to undergo TKR within the recruitment period. * Elective surgery is scheduled for at least 14 days after enrolment to allow completion of the 10 to 14-day prehabilitation intervention. * Physical ability to safely perform the prescribed exercise program, as confirmed by the treating physician. * Willingness to participate in a digitally supported training intervention at either the center or home-based. * Sufficient digital literacy and access to internet-enabled devices (smartphone, tablet, or computer). * Adequate German language proficiency to follow exercise instructions and study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: Patients will be excluded if any of the following apply: * Pregnancy at the time of enrolment. * Emergency, revisional, or non-elective surgery. * Surgery scheduled less than 14 days after enrolment. * Severe physical impairment or medical contraindication to exercise training (e.g., unstable cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, acute musculoskeletal injury). * Patients with contraindications outlined in the Medizinisches Leistungsprofil (MLP) 2.0 that preclude rehabilitat…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Recruitment rate

Timeframe: Continuous throughout the recruitment period (12 months recruitment period)

Retention Rate

Timeframe: Continuous throughout the data collection period (14 months data collection period)

Adherence to the Intervention

Timeframe: During the intervention period (typically 2-4 weeks prior to surgery).

Completeness of Outcome Data

Timeframe: Continuous throughout data collection period (14 months)

Acceptability of the Intervention

Timeframe: At discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (REH2, approximately 6 to 8 weeks after surgery)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07621666

SponsorLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-04-01

Contact for this trial

Daniela Wurhofer, Dr.

+43 (0) 57 255 82702 daniela.wurhofer@lbg.ac.at

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Knee Osteoarthristis trials