Domains of Balance Training Delivered in Rehabilitation Programs Following Hip Fracture Surgery in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the domains and characteristics of balance training (BT) interventions delivered in rehabilitation programs following hip fracture to identify potential treatment gaps. METHODS: Manual and electronic searches (Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ProQuest) were conducted. We selected randomized controlled trials with older adults following hip fracture surgery that included either specific BT or gait, mobility, or transfer training. Two independent reviewers extracted data and rated the methodological quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. A third reviewer provided consensus. Extracted BT data included balance domain, progression, frequency, duration, intensity, level of supervision, setting, and rehabilitation phase. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We included 17 trials from 19 studies; 11 studies were rated as moderate to high methodological quality, but only 8 were considered to have high-quality BT components. Half of the interventions included only one balance domain, with stability during movement being the most commonly included domain. The primary balance progression utilized was reducing hand support. Dual task, anticipatory postural adjustment, reactive strategies, and perceptual training domains were rarely included. Balance training duration and intensity were poorly described. Although most programs were home-based with minimal levels of supervision, a few extended beyond postacute phase of rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Further consideration should be given to include more challenging BT domains with planned progressions to maximize patient recovery through hip fracture rehabilitation programs.

Progressive Resistance Training Program Characteristics in Rehabilitation Programs Following Hip Fracture: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

Introduction: Older adults often experience incomplete recovery after a hip fracture. Rehabilitation programs with progressive resistance training are associated with improved functional recovery. This systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression a) evaluated resistance training characteristics reported in hip fracture rehabilitation programs, b) performed meta-analysis of resistance training impact on strength (primary outcome), gait and physical activity (secondary outcomes), and c) explored resistance training program characteristics associated with improved outcomes using meta-regression. Materials and Methods: Medline, EMBASE, CINAHLPLUS, and Web of Science Core Collection databases were searched (January2000-February2021). Randomized controlled trials including progressive resistance training rehabilitation programs after hip fracture surgery in adults ≥50 years old were included. Meta-analyses and exploratory meta-regression were performed. Results: Meta-analysis showed significant increases in strength (10 trials-728 participants; Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) [95%CI]; .40 [.02, .78]) immediately following program completion in intervention relative to control participants. Meta-analysis on 5 trials (n = 384) with extended follow up found no significant group differences (SMD = .47 [-.28, 1.23]) in strength. Center-based relative to home-based programs were associated with significantly greater improvements in strength (P < .05) as were programs where resistance training intensity was prescribed using one-repetition maximum relative to other exercise prescription methods (P < .05). In gait meta-analysis (n = 10 trials-704 participants), gait speed in intervention participants immediately after the program was significantly higher than control (SMD = .42 [.08, .76]) but this finding was not maintained in extended follow-up (n = 5 trials-240 participants; SMD = .6 [-.26, .38]). Higher resistance training intensity was associated with significant improvements in gait speed (P < .05). No meta-analysis was performed for the 3 heterogeneous studies reporting physical activity. Discussion: Progressive resistance training improved muscle strength and gait speed after hip fracture surgery in adults ≥50years old immediately after the program ended, but the longer-term impact may be more limited. Conclusions: Higher resistance training intensity and center-based programs may be associated with more improvement, but require further research.