Imagery use in rehabilitation after the knee joint arthroscopy

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to assess the efficiency of visualization training based on motivating instructions of a general character in order to increase the knee joint mobility, reduce pain and increase the quadriceps muscle mass of the thigh in patients after the knee joint arthroscopy. Material/Methods: F10 outpatient clinic patients after arthroscopy of the knee joint (average age 35 yrs) were subject to research. Physiotherapeutic treatment comprised an improvement program to increase the range of flexion in the knee joint (full ROM), align limbs circumference and reduce pain. The research group was divided into 2 subgroups. In group I, the control group, improving exercises and physical treatment were applied, while in group II, the experimental one, improvement and physical treatment program was expanded with visualization. The sample selection was random. Results: The research showed that, irrespective of the time after operation, the experimental group felt less pain than the control one, when the latter used classical methods of joint improvement. It was also stated that regardless of the time after operation, the group using visualization achieved greater improvement in the knee flexion than the standard group. The scientists also claimed that the increase in post-operative limb circumference depended on the applied therapeutic method. In the group with a visualization program a linear growth of limb circumference with the passage of time was observed. The experimental group achieved greater improvement in the post-operative leg circumference than the control group. Conclusions: The study shows that visualization may be an effective supplement of a therapeutic procedure; however, deeper evaluation of its efficacy at different stages of patient’s improvement requires further research and observations.