REVIEW PAPER
Technology-assisted rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review of robot- and sensor-based interventions
1
Department of Physical Therapy, Daejeon Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
2
Department of Physical Therapy, Busan Health University, Busan, Republic of Korea
Submission date: 2026-01-11
Acceptance date: 2026-05-04
Online publication date: 2026-10-20
Corresponding author
Hankyu Park
Department of Physical Therapy, Busan Health University, 110, Dadae-ro 290beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, 49451, Republic of Korea
Department of Physical Therapy, Busan Health University, 110, Dadae-ro 290beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, 49451, Republic of Korea
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Robot- and sensor-based interventions are increasingly used in postoperative rehabilitation, but their clinical effects after total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain unclear.
Methods:
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance, we searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for randomised controlled trials evaluating robot- or technology-assisted physiotherapy delivered in the postoperative phase after THA. Three reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane tool.
Results:
From 181 records, three trials met eligibility criteria. Interventions included an exoskeleton (Hybrid Assistive Limb), a visualized loading-control robot combined with conventional rehabilitation, and an electromyography-based (EMG-based) rehabilitation robot. Compared with conventional rehabilitation, robot- or technology-assisted interventions showed signals of short-term benefits in pain, hip range of motion (particularly hip extension), functional scores, and walking endurance in some studies, whereas walking speed and maximal strength outcomes were inconsistent. Quality of life improved in one trial despite no between-group difference in maximal strength.
Conclusions:
Evidence for the efficacy of robot- or technology-assisted postoperative rehabilitation after THA is limited and heterogeneous. Current trials suggest potential early benefits for selected outcomes, but firm conclusions are precluded by a small number of studies, variability in devices and dosing, and short follow-up. Well-designed, adequately powered trials with standardised outcomes are needed.
Robot- and sensor-based interventions are increasingly used in postoperative rehabilitation, but their clinical effects after total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain unclear.
Methods:
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance, we searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for randomised controlled trials evaluating robot- or technology-assisted physiotherapy delivered in the postoperative phase after THA. Three reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane tool.
Results:
From 181 records, three trials met eligibility criteria. Interventions included an exoskeleton (Hybrid Assistive Limb), a visualized loading-control robot combined with conventional rehabilitation, and an electromyography-based (EMG-based) rehabilitation robot. Compared with conventional rehabilitation, robot- or technology-assisted interventions showed signals of short-term benefits in pain, hip range of motion (particularly hip extension), functional scores, and walking endurance in some studies, whereas walking speed and maximal strength outcomes were inconsistent. Quality of life improved in one trial despite no between-group difference in maximal strength.
Conclusions:
Evidence for the efficacy of robot- or technology-assisted postoperative rehabilitation after THA is limited and heterogeneous. Current trials suggest potential early benefits for selected outcomes, but firm conclusions are precluded by a small number of studies, variability in devices and dosing, and short follow-up. Well-designed, adequately powered trials with standardised outcomes are needed.
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