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Sleep aid hastened recovery and range of motion following TKA
Short-term application of zolpidem was linked with improved sleep quality, hastened recovery and increased active range of motion among patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty, according to results.
Researchers randomly assigned 148 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to receive either 5 mg zolpidem (Stilnox, Sanofi-Synthelabo Ltd.) or an oral placebo at bed time.
Results showed a significantly positive correlation between sleep efficacy and active range of motion. However, during early postoperative periods, age and gender were not significantly correlated with sleep efficacy, according to results.
Throughout the study, researchers found a significant difference between the treatment group and control group for nocturnal VAS scores, while VAS scores at rest significantly improved in the treatment group from postoperative day 7 to 14. Researchers also found a significant reduction in VAS scores on movement at postoperative days 11 and 14 in the treatment group vs. the control group. Although no significant difference between the groups in active range of motion was found at postoperative days 1 and 3, active range of motion significantly increased in the treatment group from postoperative day 5 to 14, according to results.
The treatment group had significantly less postoperative nausea and vomiting, significantly reduced doses of tropisetron and a significant reduction in total opioid analgesics consumption during hospital stay, researchers found. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.