Proprioceptive training on the recovery of total knee arthroplasty patients: A meta-analysis protocol of randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty is a common surgery for end-stage of knee osteoarthritis. Proprioceptive training has become an important part in athletes training programmes in different sports. However, the effects of proprioceptive training on the recovery of total knee arthroplasty were unknown. This meta-analysis, with its comprehensive and rigorous methodology, will provide better insight into this problem. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, Wanfang Database and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) were searched from its inception to October 21, 2020. We only included proprioceptive training vs placebo in patients after total knee arthroplasty and pooled results were summarized by STATA 12.0 software. Two researchers independently selected the study and assessed the quality of the included studies. The heterogeneity was measured by I(2) tests (I(2) < 50 indicates little heterogeneity, I(2) ≥ 50 indicates high heterogeneity). Publication bias was ruled out by funnel plot and statistically assessed by Beggs test (P > .05 as no publication bias). RESULTS: Results will be published in relevant peer-reviewed journals. CONCLUSION: Our study aims to systematically present the clinical effects of proprioceptive training after total knee arthroplasty patients, which will be provide clinical guidance for total knee arthroplasty patients.