Comparison of the Efficacy of Telerehabilitation and In-person Rehabilitation Based on Wearable Devices After ACLR Surgery: a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

August 11, 2025 updated by: Peking University Third Hospital

Purpose: Investigate whether telerehabilitation based on wearable devices is clinically as effective as in-person rehabilitation for ACLR patients.

Subjects: 164 patients aged ≥18 years who underwent ACLR. Design: A mixed-block randomization method was used to randomly assign participants to two groups: the telerehabilitation group and the in-person rehabilitation group, with a 50% probability of assignment to each group. All participants received standard postoperative rehabilitation training with identical content. The telerehabilitation group received postoperative telerehabilitation guidance via software and sensors. The in-person rehabilitation group received therapist-administered treatment with three rehabilitation sessions per week. All participants underwent regular follow-ups (1 day preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively).

Primary outcome measure: The primary outcome measure was the Lysholm score. Secondary outcome measures included the IKDC score, Tegner Activity Scale, SF-36 questionnaire, VAS score, and isokinetic muscle strength of the knee joint.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Purpose: Investigate whether telerehabilitation based on wearable devices is clinically as effective as in-person rehabilitation for ACLR patients.

Subjects: Participants: This study recruited 164 participants (aged ≥18 years) undergoing ACLRsurgery;

Inclusion criteria:

(1) Age range 18-60 years; (2) First-time unilateral ACLR surgery or ACLR combined with meniscus resection surgery; (3) No other lower limb joint injuries at the same time; (4) Possession of an internet-connected mobile device capable of using a mobile application; (5) Alert and oriented, with no communication impairments; Exclusion Criteria: (1) Patients undergoing revision surgery; (2) Patients who have previously undergone other lower limb surgeries; (3) Patients scheduled for another lower limb surgery within the next 6 months; (4) Patients with concomitant knee ligament injuries or severe structural damage beyond meniscal tears; (5) Patients with other comorbidities that may interfere with rehabilitation exercises; (6) Patients undergoing acute-phase surgery; (7)Patients undergoing acute surgery.

Protocol: Participants were randomly assigned to two groups using a mixed-block randomization method: the telerehabilitation group and the in-person rehabilitation group. The allocation probability for both groups was 50%. All participants received routine outpatient diagnosis and treatment. Postoperative rehabilitation training used a standardized postoperative rehabilitation training protocol with identical content. The telerehabilitation group received postoperative telerehabilitation guidance via software and sensors. The in-person rehabilitation group received three face-to-face rehabilitation sessions per week. All participants underwent regular follow-ups (1 day preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively).

Primary outcome measure: The primary outcome measure was the Lysholm score. Secondary outcome measures included the IKDC score, Tegner Activity Scale, SF-36 questionnaire, VAS score, isokinetic muscle strength of the knee joint, and muscle strength symmetry.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
164

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Beijing
      • Beijing, Beijing, China, 100191
        • quan Jian Wang

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

(1) Age range 18-60 years; (2) First-time unilateral ACLR surgery or ACLR combined with meniscus resection surgery; (3) No other lower limb joint injuries at the same time; (4) Possession of an internet-connected mobile device capable of using a mobile application; (5) Alert and oriented, with no communication impairments;

Exclusion Criteria:

(1) Patients undergoing revision surgery; (2) Patients who have previously undergone other lower limb surgeries; (3) Patients scheduled for another lower limb surgery within the next 6 months; (4) Patients with concomitant knee ligament injuries or severe structural damage beyond meniscal tears; (5) Patients with other comorbidities that may interfere with rehabilitation exercises; (6) Patients undergoing acute-phase surgery; (7)Patients undergoing acute surgery.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Other: in-person rehabilitation group
The in-person rehabilitation group takes a face-to-face approach, with therapists providing outpatient rehabilitation instruction twice a week for six weeks.
Other: in-person rehabilitation
The in-person rehabilitation group uses a face-to-face approach, with therapists providing outpatient rehabilitation guidance to patients three times a week for six weeks. After that, patients exercise at home according to the rehabilitation manual.
Experimental: telerehabilitation group
The telerehabilitation group uses software and sensors to provide remote postoperative rehabilitation guidance.
Other: telerehabilitation
The telerehabilitation group uses smart wearables and mobile apps worn around the knee joint to perform telerehabilitation at home. Both sets of training sessions are identical.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Lysholm score
Time Frame: From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.
Used to assess knee joint function, with a score range of 0-100, where a higher score indicates better knee joint function.
From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
IKDC score
Time Frame: From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.
Used to assess knee joint function, with a score range of 0-100. The higher the score, the better the knee joint function.
From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.
Tegner score
Time Frame: From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.
Used to assess motor function. The range is 0-10, with higher scores indicating better knee function.
From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.
VAS score
Time Frame: From before ACLR surgery to 6 months after surgery.
Used to assess pain levels. The range is 0-10, with higher scores indicating higher pain levels.
From before ACLR surgery to 6 months after surgery.
Short Form-36 Health Survey(SF-36)
Time Frame: From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.
Used to assess quality of life. There are 9 subscales, each with a score range of 0-100, with higher scores indicating better knee function.
From before ACLR surgery to 6 months post-surgery.
Peak torque and symmetry of knee flexors and extensors
Time Frame: From before ACLR surgery to 6 months after surgery.
Used to assess knee muscle strength
From before ACLR surgery to 6 months after surgery.

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) Scale
Time Frame: six months after ACL reconstruction
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury Scale
six months after ACL reconstruction
VAS pain score
Time Frame: six months after ACL reconstruction
VAS pain score
six months after ACL reconstruction

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Peking University Third Hospital

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Peking University First Hospital
Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: quan J Wang, M.D., Peking University Third Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 30, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 17, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 17, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 25, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 15, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 11, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • M2023132

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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