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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07199478

Ntelligently Integrated Digital Rehabilitation Model Combining mHealth and ERAS in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Protocol

This study is a single-center, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a WeChat-based mini-program mobile health (mHealth) intervention combined with an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study will be conducted at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from July 2025 to December 2025, approved by the Ethics Committee (SH9H-2025-021), and registered on a clinical trials platform.

The study population consists of adults scheduled for unilateral primary THA or TKA, aged 18-80 years, with basic smartphone proficiency. Exclusion criteria include revision surgery, bilateral surgery, severe cognitive impairment, or baseline depression. Using a block randomization method stratified by surgical site (hip vs. knee), eligible participants will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group (ERAS + "Joint Rehabilitation Assistant" mini-program) or the control group (ERAS only). The control group receives standard ERAS management, while the intervention group additionally uses the theoretically-grounded mini-program (based on self-efficacy theory, health belief model, and learning theory), which provides personalized rehabilitation plans, progress tracking, community interaction, and emotional support.

The primary outcome is physical function (HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS) at 6 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include pain, psychological status, quality of life, and safety indicators. The calculated sample size is 70 patients per group (total 140), accounting for a 20% dropout rate. Statistical analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle, using linear mixed models to compare intergroup differences, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses performed. All outcome assessments will be conducted by blinded personnel to ensure data quality.

This protocol aims to validate the effectiveness and safety of the integrated digital rehabilitation model in improving functional recovery and quality of life, providing evidence-based support for post-arthroplasty rehabilitation

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Key information

Conditions

Total Knee Arthroplasty ERAS Total Hip Arthroplasty

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University

Luzhou, Sichuan, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age: 18-80 years old. Surgery Type: Scheduled to undergo unilateral primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Physical Status: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I-III.

Digital Literacy: Confirmed ability to use a smartphone via a standardized digital literacy test.

Compliance: Willing and able to adhere to the study protocol.

Exclusion criteria

  • Surgery Type: Revision surgery or simultaneous bilateral surgery. Cognitive Function: Presence of severe cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score <24).

Arthritis Type: Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). Psychological Status: Presence of depressive state at baseline (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) depression subscale score ≥15).

Treatment and study plan

Integrated mHealth and ERAS Digital Rehabilitation via WeChat Mini-Program

Procedure

This intervention arm is distinguished by the following key features:

Theory-Driven Design: Uniquely integrates three established behavioral theories into its core functionality: Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory, the Health Belief Model, and Illeris's Learning Model. This theoretical foundation directly informs the app's features to target psychological and behavioral barriers to recovery.

Multi-Functional Platform: Combines several evidence-based components into a single, cohesive platform within the ubiquitous WeChat ecosystem. Key features include:

Visual Goal and Progress Tracking: Provides patients with "mastery experiences."

Peer Community ("Modeling Community"): Features patient stories and videos to provide "vicarious experiences" and social support.

AI-Powered Persuasion System: Delivers automated, personalized feedback and remote encouragement from healthcare providers.

Built-in Emotional Management Tools: Includes an emotion diary

Other names: Standardized ERAS Protocol

Standardized ERAS Protocol

Procedure

Participants received only the standardized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, representing the conventional care model.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from Baseline in Physical Function at 6 weeks post-surgery, measured by the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Shortform (HOOS-PS) or Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Shortform (KOOS-PS)

    Time frame: 6 weeks post-surgery

    Standardized Video Interview: The outcome was assessed by blinded evaluators using a standardized video interview protocol to ensure consistency and reduce assessment bias, unlike studies using unblinded in-person assessments or unstandardized patient self-report.

    Joint-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs): Uses validated, joint-specific short forms (HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS) that are optimized for measuring physical function in the target population, rather than generic functional scales.

    Early Post-Discharge Timepoint: The primary endpoint is set at 6 weeks, a key early post-discharge period where digital intervention support is hypothesized to have the greatest impact on functional recovery trajectories, as opposed to longer-term endpoints (e.g., 6 months or 1 year).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline (preoperatively), 6 weeks, and 10 weeks postoperatively.

    Assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS, range 0-10) for pain at rest and during activity. A higher score indicates more severe pain.

  2. Psychological Status

    Time frame: Baseline (preoperatively), 6 weeks, and 10 weeks postoperatively.

    Evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This scale consists of two subscales for anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) to screen for emotional distress.

  3. Self-Efficacy

    Time frame: Timepoints: Baseline (preoperatively), 6 weeks, and 10 weeks postoperatively.

    Assessed using the Self-Efficacy for Rehabilitation (SER) scale to measure patients' confidence in their ability to perform activities and tasks required for recovery.

  4. Safety Outcomes

    Time frame: Timepoints: Monitored continuously from randomization until the 10-week follow-up visit.

    All adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs)-such as delayed wound healing, deep vein thrombosis, and infection-were recorded and compared between groups to evaluate the safety profile of the intervention.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Affiliated Hospital Of Southwest Medical University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Application of an Intelligently Integrated Digital Rehabilitation Model Combining mHealth and ERAS in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 30, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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