Patterns of physical activity over time in older patients rehabilitating after hip fracture surgery: a preliminary observational study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate patterns of continuously monitored physical activity in older patients rehabilitating after hip fracture surgery and the association with patient characteristics. METHODS: Physical activity of surgically treated hip fracture patients aged 70 years or older, who were rehabilitating at a skilled nursing home, was continuously monitored using a tri-axial accelerometer. The intensity of physical activity per day was calculated from the accelerometer signals to describe the daily physical activity levels of the enrolled patients. The patterns of three different aspects of physical activity were investigated: overall physical activity, overall variability, and day-to-day variability. Two experts in the geriatric rehabilitation field helped identifying unique physical activity patterns for each aspect based on visual analysis. Eighteen healthcare professionals independently classified each patient in one of the predefined patterns for each aspect. Differences between physical activity patterns and patient characteristics were assessed using a Kruskal-Wallis or Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS: Physical activity data from 66 older patients were used in this preliminary study. A total of six unique patterns were identified for overall physical activity and overall variability, and five unique patterns for the day-to-day variability. The most common pattern found for the overall physical activity and day-to-day variability had a S-shape, which first slowly increased, then steeply increased, and subsequently flattened (n = 23, 34.8%). A N-shape pattern was found the most common pattern for overall variability, which first slowly increased, then steeply increased, then decreased and lastly increased (n = 14, 21.2%). The functionality at admission to rehabilitation, measured with the Barthel Index, and the duration of rehabilitation stay differed between the patterns of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple patterns of physical activity among older patients during hip fracture rehabilitation were found in this preliminary study. The functionality at admission to rehabilitation and the duration of rehabilitation stay were associated with the different patterns found in this study. Results of this study highlight the importance of personalized hip fracture treatment.

Effects of rehabilitation therapy based on exercise prescription on motor function and complications after hip fracture surgery in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Exercise rehabilitation training is an important measure for improving the prognosis of patients with hip fractures. However, the particular program that works effectively and the efficiency of exercise therapy are still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of usual postoperative care combined with rehabilitation based on exercise prescription on motor function and complications in elderly patients who underwent surgery for hip fracture. METHODS: This was an observational study. A total of 71 elderly patients with hip fractures who were treated with hip arthroplasty and internal fixation of the proximal femur with an intramedullary nail at Suzhou Municipal Hospital from October 2020 to December 2021 were included; 11 cases were excluded (eight cases were excluded due to loss of follow-up, two due to deaths from other causes, and one due to other reasons). Finally, 60 patients (18 males and 42 females) were included. Patients were randomly assigned to the control (n = 30) and experimental (n = 30) groups using a random number generator. Patients in the control group received usual postoperative care, whereas those in the experimental group received usual postoperative care combined with rehabilitation training based on the principles of exercise prescription. We recorded the motor function (Harris hip score), daily living ability (Barthel Index), and complications at discharge and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The Harris hip score and Barthel Index score were significantly higher at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively than at discharge in both groups (p < 0.05). The Harris hip score and Barthel Index score at discharge and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence of complications at 6 months postoperatively was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (13% vs. 37%). CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation therapy based on exercise prescription helps improve hip function and the ability to perform activities of daily living and related postoperative complications after hip fracture surgery in elderly patients. The findings of our study will guide decision-making in clinical practice and improve the clinical management of hip fractures in elderly patients postoperatively.

[Comprehensive Treatment and Functional Rehabilitation After Pelvic Fracture in the Elderly With Multiple Organ Failure:Report of One Case].

We reported the comprehensive treatment of an elderly critically ill patient with pelvic fracture.The functions and quality of life of the patient were recovered after collaborative nursing by both family and hospital according to the general practice principle of both mental and physical rehabilitation.We summarized the diagnosis and treatment strategies of this case,aiming to provide reference for the clinical treatment of such cases.

People living in nursing care facilities who are ambulant and fracture their hips: description of usual care and an alternative rehabilitation pathway.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about treatment provided to people living in nursing care facilities (NCFs) after hospital admission for hip fracture. In addition, there are no clinical guidelines for rehabilitation and recovery following hip fracture for nursing home residents. METHODS: As part of a randomised trial (SACRED trial), which investigated the efficacy of a four week in-reach rehabilitation program, data were collected which described routine care for 240 people living in 76 nursing care facilities in South Australia who fractured their hips. The in-reach rehabilitation provided to 119 intervention participants is described, including intensity, type and methods used to encourage participation in rehabilitation. Adverse events that occurred, in particular falls, are also reported. RESULTS: NCF records indicated that, over the four weeks following discharge from hospital after hip fracture, 76% of patients receiving usual care had a consultation with their general practitioner. Physiotherapy was provided to 79% of patients in usual care (median of 1.96 h over the 4 weeks, which is less than 30 min each week of physiotherapy). In-reach rehabilitation was provided by the hospital team for 13 h over the 4 weeks with almost full attendance at physiotherapy sessions (median of 1 missed session, range 0-7 with a median of 14 physiotherapy sessions attended by participants, range 1-18). Experienced therapists provided a flexible approach to the rehabilitation to account for patients' dementia and associated neuropsychiatric symptoms while providing dietetic support, mobility training and education to nursing home staff. The number of falls experienced by those in the intervention group was higher compared to those in usual care (Relative Risk 1.38 (95%CI 1.04-1.84, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation can be provided to people living in NCFs following hip fracture, even when they have moderate to severe dementia but the model needs to be flexible. Provision of rehabilitation may increase the rate of falls in this population. Further studies are required to establish the feasibility of the intervention in other long term care settings. (327 words). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12612000112864 registered on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).

Pre-discharge prognostic factors of physical function among older adults with hip fracture surgery: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: To identify, organize, and assess the evidence level of pre-discharge prognostic factors of physical function beyond discharge after hip fracture surgery. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of four databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO) for longitudinal studies of prognostic factors of physical function at ≥ 1 month among older adults ≥ 50 years old with surgically treated hip fracture, complemented with hand-searching. Two reviewers independently screened papers for inclusion and assessed the quality of all the included papers using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. We assigned the evidence level for each prognostic factor based on consistency in findings and study quality. RESULTS: From 98 papers that met our inclusion criteria, we identified 107 pre-discharge prognostic factors and organized them into the following seven categories: demographic, physical, cognitive, psychosocial, socioeconomic, injury-related, and process of care. Potentially modifiable factors with strong or moderate evidence of an association included total length of stay, physical function at discharge, and grip strength. Factors with strong or moderate evidence of no association included gender, fracture type, and time to surgery. Factors with limited, conflicting, or inconclusive evidence included body-mass index, psychological resilience, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight potentially modifiable prognostic factors that could be targeted and non-modifiable prognostic factors that could be used to identify patients who may benefit from more intensive intervention or to advise patients on their expectations on recovery. Examining the efficacies of existing interventions targeting these prognostic factors would inform future studies and whether any of such interventions could be incorporated into clinical practice.

Discharge destination following hip fracture in Canada among previously community-dwelling older adults, 2004-2012: database study.

Little is known about post-acute care following hip fracture surgery. We investigated discharge destinations from surgical hospitals for nine Canadian provinces. We identified significant heterogeneity in discharge patterns across provinces suggesting different post-acute recovery pathways. Further work is required to determine the impact on patient outcomes and health system costs. INTRODUCTION: To examine discharge destinations by provinces in Canada, adjusting for patient, injury, and care characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed population-based hospital discharge abstracts from a national administrative database for community-dwelling patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between 2004 and 2012 in Canada. Discharge destination was categorized as rehabilitation, home, acute care, and continuing care. Multinomial logistic regression modeling compared proportions of discharge to rehabilitation, acute care, and continuing care versus home between each province and Ontario. Adjusted risk differences and risk ratios were estimated. RESULTS: Of 111,952 previously community-dwelling patients aged 65 years or older, 22.5% were discharged to rehabilitation, 31.6% to home, 27.0% to acute care, and 18.2% to continuing care, with significant variation across provinces (p < 0.001). The proportion of discharge to rehabilitation ranged from 2.4% in British Columbia to 41.0% in Ontario while the proportion discharged home ranged from 20.3% in Prince Edward Island to 52.2% in British Columbia. The proportion of discharge to acute care ranged from 15.2% in Ontario to 58.8% in Saskatchewan while the proportion discharged to continuing care ranged from 9.3% in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island to 22.9% in New Brunswick. Adjusting for hospital type changed the direction of the provincial effect on discharge to continuing care in two provinces, but statistical significance remained consistent with the primary analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Discharge destination from the surgical hospital after hip fracture is highly variable across nine Canadian provinces. Further work is required to determine the impact of this heterogeneity on patient outcomes and health system costs.

Inequity in rehabilitation interventions after hip fracture: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the extent to which equity factors contributed to eligibility criteria of trials of rehabilitation interventions after hip fracture. We define equity factors as those that stratify healthcare opportunities and outcomes. DESIGN: systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, PEDro, Open Grey, BASE and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomised controlled trials of rehabilitation interventions after hip fracture published between 1 January 2008 and 30 May 2018. Trials not published in English, secondary prevention or new models of service delivery (e.g. orthogeriatric care pathway) were excluded. Duplicate screening for eligibility, risk of bias (Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool) and data extraction (Cochrane's PROGRESS-Plus framework). RESULTS: twenty-three published, eight protocol, four registered ongoing randomised controlled trials (4,449 participants) were identified. A total of 69 equity factors contributed to eligibility criteria of the 35 trials. For more than 50% of trials, potential participants were excluded based on residency in a nursing home, cognitive impairment, mobility/functional impairment, minimum age and/or non-surgical candidacy. Where reported, this equated to the exclusion of 2,383 out of 8,736 (27.3%) potential participants based on equity factors. Residency in a nursing home and cognitive impairment were the main drivers of these exclusions. CONCLUSION: the generalisability of trial results to the underlying population of frail older adults is limited. Yet, this is the evidence base underpinning current service design. Future trials should include participants with cognitive impairment and those admitted from nursing homes. For those excluded, an evidence-informed reasoning for the exclusion should be explicitly stated. PROSPERO: CRD42018085930.

Effectiveness of Supervised Home-Based Exercise Therapy Compared to a Control Intervention on Functions, Activities, and Participation in Older Patients After Hip Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to investigate whether supervised home-based exercise therapy after hospitalization is more effective on improving functions, activities, and participation in older patients after hip fracture than a control intervention (including usual care). Furthermore, we aimed to account the body of evidence for therapeutic validity. DATA SOURCES: Systematic searches of Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases up to June 30, 2016. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials studying supervised home-based exercise therapy after hospitalization in older patients (≥65y) after hip fracture. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers assessed methodological quality (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) and therapeutic validity (Consensus on Therapeutic Exercise Training). Data were primary analyzed using a best evidence synthesis on methodological quality and meta-analyses. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 9 articles were included (6 trials; 602 patients). Methodological quality was high in 4 of 6 studies. One study had high therapeutic validity. We found limited evidence in favor of home-based exercise therapy for short- (≤4mo) and long-term (>4mo) performance-based activities of daily living (ADL) and effects at long-term for gait (fast) and endurance. Evidence of no effectiveness was found for short- and long-term effects on gait and self-reported (instrumental) ADL and short-term effects on balance, endurance, and mobility. Conflicting evidence was found for strength, long-term balance, short-term gait (comfortable), long-term self-reported ADL, and long-term mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Research findings show no evidence in favor of home-based exercise therapy after hip fracture for most outcomes of functions, activities, and participation. However, trials in this field have low therapeutic validity (absence of rationale for content and intensity and reporting of adherence), which results in interventions that do not fit patients' limitations and goals.

Supplemented amino acids may enhance the walking recovery of elderly subjects after hip fracture surgery.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether supplemented essential amino acids (EAAs) could enhance rehabilitation therapy (Rehab) for recovery of walking capacity in subjects after hip fracture surgery (HFS). Eighty-three elderly subjects with HFS (20 ± 11 days after acute trauma) were eligible for the study and randomized to receive Rehab only (Rehab; n = 27), Rehab + placebo (RP; n = 28) or Rehab + EAAs (RE 8 g/day; n = 28). The patients' walking capacity (m) was measured by 6-min walking distance (6MWD) at admission and at discharge (median 66 days after admission). All patient groups were treated with the same Rehab (2 sessions/day × 5 days/week). The results showed that the gain in 6MWD was higher in RE than in Rehab and RP (p = 0.034; p = 0.024). The study shows that EAA supplementation can enhance walking recovery rate in subjects with HFS.

A home-based tele-rehabilitation protocol for patients with hip fracture called @ctivehip.

Home-based tele-rehabilitation programs are under development and may be a future option for some patients. The objectives of this non-randomized clinical trial are to design a home-based multidisciplinary tele-rehabilitation protocol for patients with hip fracture, and to compare this protocol versus the home-based usual outpatient rehabilitation protocol. Seventy patients treated for an acute hip fracture, aged 65 years or older, with a high pre-fracture functional level (Functional Independence Measure score >90), without severe cognitive impairment, absence of terminal disease, discharged to their own home or a relativés home postoperatively, allowed weight-bearing, and with signed informed consent, will be allocated into a tele-rehabilitation group (n = 35) or a control group (n = 35). The inclusion criterion for the intervention group will be to have a caregiver with the ability to access the Internet who is willing to perform exercises and activities with the patient at home. The intervention includes a program of physical exercise and occupational therapy (five weekly sessions during 12 weeks), and recommendations for patients and their caregivers, all delivered through a website. The patient's functional level (Functional Independence Measure), quality of life (Euro-Qol), physical performance (Timed Up and Go), caregiver burden (Zarit Interview), and other descriptive data will be assessed at hospital discharge, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. This project will add to the knowledge concerning the feasibility of tele-rehabilitation as an option to promote recovery of the pre-fracture functional level for some patients with a hip fracture. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02968589NCT.

Effect of a Multicomponent Home-Based Physical Therapy Intervention on Ambulation After Hip Fracture in Older Adults: The CAP Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Disability persists after hip fracture in older persons. Current rehabilitation may not be sufficient to restore ability to walk in the community. Objective: To compare a multicomponent home-based physical therapy intervention (training) with an active control on ability to walk in the community. Design, Setting, and Participants: Parallel, 2-group randomized clinical trial conducted at 3 US clinical centers (Arcadia University, University of Connecticut Health Center, and University of Maryland, Baltimore). Randomization began on September 16, 2013, and ended on June 20, 2017; follow-up ended on October 17, 2017. Patients aged 60 years and older were enrolled after nonpathologic, minimal trauma hip fracture, if they were living in the community and walking without human assistance before the fracture, were assessed within 26 weeks of hospitalization, and were not able to walk during daily activities at the time of enrollment. A total of 210 participants were randomized and reassessed 16 and 40 weeks later. Interventions: The training intervention (active treatment) (n = 105) included aerobic, strength, balance, and functional training. The active control group (n = 105) received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and active range-of-motion exercises. Both groups received 2 to 3 home visits from a physical therapist weekly for 16 weeks; nutritional counseling; and daily vitamin D (2000 IU), calcium (600 mg), and multivitamins. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome (community ambulation) was defined as walking 300 m or more in 6 minutes at 16 weeks after randomization. The study was designed to test a 1-sided hypothesis of superiority of training compared with active control. Results: Among 210 randomized participants (mean age, 80.8 years; 161 women [76.7%]), 197 (93.8%) completed the trial (187 [89.0%] by completing the 6-minute walk test at 16 weeks and 10 [4.8%] by adjudication of the primary outcome). Among these, 22 of 96 training participants (22.9%) and 18 of 101 active control participants (17.8%) (difference, 5.1% [1-sided 97.5% CI, -∞ to 16.3%]; 1-sided P = .19) became community ambulators. Seventeen training participants (16.2%) and 15 control participants (14.3%) had 1 or more reportable adverse events during the intervention period. The most common reportable adverse events reported were falls (training: 6 [5.7%], control: 4 [3.8%]), femur/hip fracture (2 in each group), pneumonia (training: 2, control: 0), urinary tract infection (training: 2, control: 0), dehydration (training: 0, control: 2), and dyspnea (training: 0, control: 2). Conclusions and Relevance: Among older adults with a hip fracture, a multicomponent home-based physical therapy intervention compared with an active control that included transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and active range-of-motion exercises did not result in a statistically significant improvement in the ability to walk 300 m or more in 6 minutes after 16 weeks. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01783704.

Associations between post-operative rehabilitation of hip fracture and outcomes: national database analysis (90 characters).

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation programmes are used to improve hip fracture outcomes. There is little published trial clinical trial or population-based data on the effects of the type or provider of rehabilitation treatments on hip fracture outcomes. We evaluated the associations of rehabilitation interventions with post-operative hip fracture outcomes. METHODS: Cross-sectional (2013-2015) analysis of data from the English National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) from all 191 English hospitals treating hip fractures. Of 62,844 NHFD patients, we included 17,708 patients with rehabilitation treatment and 30-day mobility data, and 34,142 patients with rehabilitation treatment and discharge destination data. The intervention was early mobilisation rehabilitation treatments delivered by a physiotherapist (PT, physical therapist in North America) or other clinical staff as identifiable in NHFD. We used ordinal logistic and propensity scoring regression models to adjust for confounding variables including age, sex, pre-fracture mobility, operative delay, and cognitive function and peri-operative risk scores. RESULTS: In both the adjusted multivariate and propensity-weighted analyses, mobilisation on the day or the day following surgery is associated with better mobility function 30 days after discharge. However patients mobilised by a PT did not have better mobility compared to mobilisation by other professionals. Patients who received a PT assessment were not protected from poorer mobility 30 days after discharge, compared with those who did not receive an assessment. The discharge destination outcome is also better in mobilised than unmobilised patients, whether done by a PT or another health professional, and the difference persists, slightly attenuated, after propensity weighting. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the type of health professional initiating mobilisation, data on rehabilitation treatment activity and post-operative gait speed is needed to determine optimum rehabilitation dosage and functional outcome. After adjustment patients mobilised by non-PTs did as well as patients mobilised by PTs, suggesting that PTs' current roles in very early rehabilitation should be reconsidered, with a view to redeploying them to more specialised later rehabilitation activity.

Physical Activity After a Hip Fracture: Effect of a Multicomponent Home-Based Rehabilitation Program-A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of a yearlong multicomponent rehabilitation program on the level of physical activity (PA) and the maintenance of the level of PA over 1-year follow-up among older people recovering from a recent hip fracture. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial. SETTING: Home-based rehabilitation; measurements in university laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling people (N=81) aged ≥60 years recovering from a hip fracture. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention (n=40) or a control (n=41) group, on average, 42±23 days after discharge from the hospital. INTERVENTION: A yearlong intervention included evaluation and modification of environmental hazards, guidance for safe walking, nonpharmacologic pain management, a progressive home exercise program, PA counseling, and standard care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome was the level of PA, which was assessed with the questionnaire (a modified Grimby scale) at baseline, and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after baseline. Three PA categories were defined: inactivity, light PA, and moderate to heavy PA. Physical function was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at baseline. The effects of the intervention were analyzed with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: In the intervention group, a significant increase was observed in the level of PA after the intervention (interaction P=.005) and after 1-year follow-up (P=.021) compared with the standard care only. The benefit was particularly evident among the participants with a baseline SPPB score of ≥7 (interaction P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-month individualized multicomponent rehabilitation program increased PA among older patients with hip fracture. The increase was found to be maintained at the 1-year follow-up.

The effects of habitual functional training on physical functioning in patients after hip fracture: the protocol of the HIPFRAC study.

BACKGROUND: The survivors after hip fracture often report severe pain and loss of physical functioning. The poor outcomes cause negative impact on the person's physical functioning and quality of life and put a financial burden on society. Rehabilitation is important to improve physical functioning after hip fracture. To maintain the continuity in rehabilitation we have an assumption that it is of utmost importance to continue and progress the functional training that already started at the hospital, while the patients are transferred to short-term stays in a nursing home before they are returning to home. The aim presently is to examine the effects of a functional training program, initiated by the physiotherapist and performed by the nurses, on physical functioning while the patients are at short term stays in primary health care. METHODS/DESIGN: Inclusion and randomization will take place during hospital stay. All patients 65 years or above who have sustained a hip fracture are eligible, except if they have a score on Mini Mental State (MMS-E) of less than 15, could walk less than 10 m prior to the fracture, or are terminally ill. The intervention consists of additional functional training as part of the habitual daily routine during short term stays at nursing homes after discharge from hospital. The primary outcome is physical functioning measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Secondary outcomes are Timed "Up & Go" (TUG), hand grip strength, activPAL accelerometer, and self-reported measures like new Mobility Score (NMS), Walking Habits, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale, Fall efficacy scale (FES), EuroQol health status measure (EQ-5D-5 L), and pain. DISCUSSION: Issues related to internal and external validity in the study are discussed. The outline for the arguments in this protocol is organized according to the guidelines of the Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance on how to develop and evaluate complex interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02780076 .

A multi-component cognitive behavioural intervention for the treatment of fear of falling after hip fracture (FIT-HIP): protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture is a common injury in the geriatric population. Despite surgical repair and subsequent rehabilitation programmes, functional recovery is often limited, particularly in individuals with multi-morbidity. This leads to high care dependency and subsequent use of healthcare services. Fear of falling has a negative influence on recovery after hip fracture, due to avoidance of activity and subsequent restriction in mobility. Although fear of falling is highly prevalent after hip fracture, no structured treatment programme is currently available. This trial will evaluate whether targeted treatment of fear of falling in geriatric rehabilitation after hip fracture using a multi-component cognitive behavioural intervention (FIT-HIP), is feasible and (cost) effective in reducing fear of falling and associated activity restriction and thereby improves physical functioning. METHODS/DESIGN: This multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted among older patients with hip fracture and fear of falling who are admitted to a multidisciplinary inpatient geriatric rehabilitation programme in eleven post-acute geriatric rehabilitation units. Fifteen participants will be recruited from each site. Recruitment sites will be allocated by computer randomisation to either the control group, receiving usual care, or to the intervention group receiving the FIT-HIP intervention in addition to usual care. The FIT-HIP intervention is conducted by physiotherapists and will be embedded in usual care. It consists of various elements of cognitive behavioural therapy, including guided exposure to feared activities (that are avoided by the participants). Participants and outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation. Follow-up measurements will be performed at 3 and 6 months after discharge from geriatric rehabilitation. (Cost)-effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention will be evaluated. Primary outcome measures are fear of falling and mobility. DISCUSSION: Targeted treatment of fear of falling may improve recovery and physical and social functioning after hip fracture, thereby offering benefits for patients and reducing healthcare costs. Results of this study will provide insight into whether fear of falling is modifiable in the (geriatric) rehabilitation after hip fracture and whether the intervention is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register: NTR 5695 .

Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Lower-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Lower-extremity (LE) musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can have a major impact on the ability to carry out daily activities. The effectiveness of interventions must be examined to enable occupational therapy practitioners to deliver the most appropriate services. This systematic review examined the literature published between 1995 and July 2014 that investigated the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for LE MSDs. Forty-three articles met the criteria and were reviewed. Occupational therapy interventions varied on the basis of population subgroup: hip fracture, LE joint replacement, LE amputation or limb loss, and nonsurgical osteoarthritis and pain. The results indicate an overall strong role for occupational therapy in treating clients with LE MSDs. Activity pacing is an effective intervention for nonsurgical LE MSDs, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation is effective for LE joint replacement and amputation. Further research on specific occupational therapy interventions in this important area is needed.

The influence of informal caregivers on the rehabilitation of the elderly in the postoperative period of proximal femoral fracture. / Influência do cuidador informal na reabilitação do idoso em pós-operatório de fratura de fêmur proximal.

Objective To analyze the influence of informal caregivers on the functional independence of older adults in the postoperative period of proximal femoral fracture due to falls. Method It is an integrative review of a corpus for analysis that gathered 23 articles, between 2002 and 2012, from databases "Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde" (Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature in Health Sciences), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, US National Library of Medicine and Scopus. Results There was a predominance of studies by Chinese authors and nurses. The analysis of the studies evidenced that falls followed by fractures lead to dependence of older adults and, consequently, an overload to caregivers. Moreover, older adults and caregivers showed a need for support in the rehabilitation process. Conclusions Informal caregivers still need to be included in care planning and to be qualified for such care by health professionals, since they positively influence functional independence in the postoperative period.

Does self-efficacy mediate functional change in older adults participating in an exercise program after hip fracture? A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether self-efficacy mediated the effect of the Home-based Post-Hip Fracture Rehabilitation program on activity limitations in older adults after hip fracture and whether the mediating effect was different between sex and age groups. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Participants with hip fracture (N=232; mean age ± SD, 79±9.4y) were randomly assigned to intervention (n=120, 51.7%) and attention control (n=112, 48.3%) groups. INTERVENTIONS: The 6-month intervention, the Home-based Post-Hip Fracture Rehabilitation, is a functionally oriented, home-based exercise program. Data were collected at baseline, postintervention (6mo), and follow-up (9mo). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care. RESULTS: The mediating effect of the Home-based Post-Hip Fracture Rehabilitation program on Basic Mobility function through self-efficacy for exercise was significant at 9 months (ßindirect=.21). Similarly, the mediating effect of the intervention on Daily Activity function through self-efficacy for exercise was significant at 9 months (ßindirect=.49). In subgroup analyses, the mediating effect was significant at 9 months in the younger group (age, ≤79y) in comparison to the older group and was significant in women in comparison to men. CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy may play a partial mediating role in the effect on some longer-term functional outcomes in the Home-based Post-Hip Fracture Rehabilitation intervention. The results suggest that program components that target self-efficacy should be incorporated in future hip fracture rehabilitation interventions. Age and sex of the targeted participants may also need to be considered when developing interventions.

Performance-based outcomes of inpatient rehabilitation facilities treating hip fracture patients in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of facility and aggregate patient characteristics of inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) on performance-based rehabilitation outcomes in a national sample of IRFs treating Medicare beneficiaries with hip fracture. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis. SETTING: U.S. Medicare-certified IRFs (N=983). PARTICIPANTS: Data included patient records of Medicare beneficiaries (N=34,364) admitted in 2009 for rehabilitation after hip fracture. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance-based outcomes included mean motor function on discharge, mean motor change (mean motor score on discharge minus mean motor score on admission), and percentage discharged to the community. RESULTS: Higher mean motor function on discharge was explained by aggregate characteristics of patients with hip fracture (lower age [P=.009], lower percentage of blacks [P<.001] and Hispanics [P<.001], higher percentage of women [P=.030], higher motor function on admission [P<.001], longer length of stay [P<.001]) and facility characteristics (freestanding [P<.001], rural [P<.001], for profit [P=.048], smaller IRFs [P=.014]). The findings were similar for motor change, but motor change was also associated with lower mean cognitive function on admission (P=.008). Higher percentage discharged to the community was associated with aggregate patient characteristics (lower age [P<.001], lower percentage of Hispanics [P=.009], higher percentage of patients living with others [P<.001], higher motor function on admission [P<.001]). No facility characteristics were associated with the percentage discharged to the community. CONCLUSIONS: Performance-based measurement offers health policymakers, administrators, clinicians, and consumers a major opportunity for securing health system improvement by benchmarking or comparing their outcomes with those of other similar facilities. These results might serve as the basis for benchmarking and quality-based reimbursement to IRFs for 1 impairment group: hip fracture.