01993nas a2200169   4500000000100000008004100001653002400042653001200066100002600078700001600104700001200120245015200132300003500284490000700319050000600326520149100332       2004                            d10aPeer Reviewed Paper10aChecked1 aSherrington Catherine1 aHerbert Rob1 aLord S.00aA randomized controlled trial of weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing exercise for improving physical ability after usual care for hip fracture  a710-716. [Impact Factor 1.814]0 v85  aN3 a<p>
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing home exercise programs and a control program on physical ability (strength, balance, gait, functional performance) in older people who have had a hip fracture. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with 4-month follow-up. SETTING: Australian community-dwellers (82%) and residents of aged care facilities who had completed usual care after a fall-related hip fracture. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty older people entered the trial, 40 per group (average age +/- standard deviation, 79+/-9y) and 90% completed the 4-month retest. INTERVENTION: Home exercise prescribed by a physical therapist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Strength, balance, gait, and functional performance. RESULTS: At the 4-month retest, there were differences between the groups in the extent of improvement since the initial assessment for balance (F(10,196)=2.82, P&lt;.001) and functional performance (F(6,200)=3.57, P&lt;.001), but not for strength (F(12,190)=1.09, P=.37) or gait (F(8,200)=.39, P=.92). The weight-bearing exercise group showed the greatest improvements in measures of balance and functional performance (between-group differences of 30%-40% of initial values). CONCLUSIONS: A weight-bearing home exercise program can improve balance and functional ability to a greater extent than a non-weight-bearing program or no intervention among older people who have completed usual care after a fall-related hip fracture.
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