Clinical Research Directory

Balance, Fall Risk, and Gait in Women With Total Knee Arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a commonly performed surgical procedure aimed at reducing pain, restoring joint function, and improving quality of life, particularly among older women. Despite improvements in pain and functional outcomes following TKA, findings regarding balance, fall risk, and gait performance remain inconsistent. Impairments in these parameters may adversely affect daily activities, independence, and overall quality of life. Unlike previous studies that have primarily focused on one or two outcomes, this study will comprehensively evaluate balance, fall risk, gait performance, and quality of life in postmenopausal women who have undergone TKA. The findings are expected to provide a more holistic understanding of long-term functional outcomes following TKA and contribute to the planning of rehabilitation programs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare balance, fall risk, gait performance, and quality of life between postmenopausal women who have undergone TKA and healthy postmenopausal women.

Risk of Falling and Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background and Rationale Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a key intervention for patients with chronic heart disease or recent acute cardiovascular events. In elderly and frail patients, CR aims not only to improve functional capacity but also to maintain or recover independence in daily activities. Hospitalization following an acute event often leads to bed rest, which-even after just 2-3 days-can cause hypokinetic syndrome, characterized by loss of muscle tone, orthostatic hypotension, decreased mobility, and psychological decline, including depression. Moreover, immobility increases thrombotic risk and vascular complications. To mitigate these effects, CR is initiated promptly after clinical stabilization and includes three phases: 1. Phase I - In-hospital rehabilitation 2. Phase II - Early outpatient rehabilitation 3. Phase III - Long-term maintenance Elderly patients are particularly vulnerable to falls due to the combined effects of reduced muscle strength, orthostatic hypotension, cognitive decline, and pre-existing sarcopenia-often exacerbated by acute events and immobility. Approximately 60% of cardiac patients hospitalized for acute events present with moderate-to-high fall risk. Fall risk in this population is multifactorial, involving cardiovascular issues (e.g., arrhythmias, orthostatic hypotension), medication effects, and non-cardiac factors such as vision loss, balance impairment, neuromuscular conditions, and cognitive deficits.