Can the exercise-based and occupational therapy improve the posture, strength, and mobility in elderly Greek subjects with hip fracture? A non-randomized control trial

OBJECTIVES: The effects of a rehabilitation program on static balance, mobility, and strength of lower limbs in elderly fallers operated after a hip fracture and non-operated were studied. METHODS: Ninety-one elderly (>65 years) were divided in two groups, the Operated Group (OG, 43 fallers) and the Non-Operated Group (NOG, 48 fallers). Posture during bipedal stance (30s), mobility (Up-and-Go, Falls Efficacy Scale, Berg Balance Scale) and isokinetic strength of several muscular groups in both limbs were evaluated before and after a rehabilitation intervention, consisting in 20 sessions (3 sessions/week) including kinesiotherapy and occupational therapy. RESULTS: After intervention, the average velocity of Center of Pressure displacement decreased significantly for OG and NOG (p<0.005). Similarly, all other variables describing static balance, mobility (p<0.05) and isokinetic strength (p<0.005) were improved significantly for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The applied intervention led to improvement in static balance, mobility, and strength of lower limbs after hip fracture. Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine physicians should prescribe evidence-based rehabilitation protocols in elderly fallers because they could show just as remarkable improvements as non-operated patients when the program is carefully designed.