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Study of whey protein on muscle mass and functional rehabilitation in postoperative total knee arthroplasty patients.

  • 2024-09-03
  • Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation 37(5)
    • Mengshi Li
    • Qiongfang Shi
    • Xinle Che
    • Xingyan Du
    • Dongming Wang
    • Yufeng Song

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 72
Population
72 patients who met the criteria were selected for this randomized controlled study
Methods
randomized controlled study, whey protein as a daily supplement for 12 weeks, control group given a placebo, both groups received conventional rehabilitation training
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
12 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Background

Patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) often experience muscle loss due to pain and limited mobility. Nutritional supplementation and rehabilitation may positively affect the decline in muscle function.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether whey protein intervention, in addition to conventional rehabilitation training, is beneficial in improving muscle function and quality of life in patients after TKA.

Methods

72 patients who met the criteria were selected for this randomized controlled study. For the experimental group, whey protein was used as a daily supplement for 12 weeks, while the control group was given a placebo, during which both groups received conventional rehabilitation training. Muscle strength and each of the secondary observables needed to be measured and statistically analyzed preoperatively and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-intervention.

Results

In total, 62 subjects completed the study: 32 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Both groups showed significant improvement in muscle strength, VAS, ROM, AKS and leg circumference after 12 weeks of treatment. Compared to the control group, patients in the experimental group showed significant improvement in muscle strength, VAS, ROM, AKS and leg circumference (p= 0.001, p= 0.002, p= 0.001, p= 0.001, p= 0.001, respectively) after 12 weeks of treatment.

Conclusion

The 12-week intervention of whey protein nutritional supplement showed significant improvement in muscle mass and function among post-TKA patients besides aiding with conventional rehabilitation exercise.

Research Insights

  • Whey Protein→Improved Knee Society Score

    Compared to the control group, patients in the experimental group showed significant improvement in ... AKS ... (p= 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily supplement for 12 weeks
  • Whey Protein→Improved Muscle Strength

    Compared to the control group, patients in the experimental group showed significant improvement in muscle strength ... (p= 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily supplement for 12 weeks
  • Whey Protein→Improved Range of Motion

    Compared to the control group, patients in the experimental group showed significant improvement in ... ROM ... (p= 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily supplement for 12 weeks
  • Whey Protein→Increased Leg Circumference

    Compared to the control group, patients in the experimental group showed significant improvement in ... leg circumference (p= 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily supplement for 12 weeks
  • Whey Protein→Reduced Pain

    Compared to the control group, patients in the experimental group showed significant improvement in ... VAS ... (p= 0.002)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    daily supplement for 12 weeks
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