The Health Impact of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction on Total Knee Arthroplasty

Despite surgical success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), reports of dissatisfaction and poor outcomes including increased pain, reduced function for daily activities, and compromised psychological health are common. Interventions to improve TKA outcomes are primarily education-focused, however there is little support for efficacy. Evidence suggests that mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) is effective for improving both physical and mental health, which are factors implicated in negative post-operative TKA outcomes. The efficacy of this empirically supported intervention on TKA outcomes has not been assessed. The proposed pilot study will conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of pre-surgical MBSR on post-surgical outcomes. Post-operative pain (severity and catastrophizing), functioning (interference and illness impact), quality of life, emotional distress (anxiety and depression) and sleep will be assessed in pre-surgical MBSR and compared to treatment as usual. This pilot will provide an opportunity for TKA patients to receive an intervention that may improve outcomes. Further, it will provide insight into the relationship between pre-surgical MBSR and post-operative TKA outcomes, which will assist in the development of MBSR adaptations to less time intensive, and potentially more accessible, future offerings.