Hip fracture is a common medical problem that can drastically change the quality of life for the elderly person. More than 300,000 older people are expected to fracture a hip each year at an estimated cost of 5 billion dollars. Interventions have not been identified that successfully return a majority of persons to their prefracture level of function following hip fracture. Muscle weakness, loss of balance and decreased physical endurance remain. These impairments are associated with slowed gait speed, decreased independence in ambulation, and inability to perform simple activities of daily living. Therefore, despite the improvements in medical care, functional recovery has not occurred. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of high intensity strengthening exercise used in the home setting for patients who sustain hip fracture. Intervention will begin six months after fracture to ensure healing of bone and soft tissue. Strengthening exercises will be performed twice a week for ten weeks and will be directed to the lower extremity muscles because of their role in gait and transfers. A control group will receive placebo intervention to the same muscle groups. Outcomes will be compared between groups after the intervention and one year after fracture. Effectiveness will be assessed using an impairment measure (quadriceps muscle force production), a functional limitation measure (gait speed), and a disability measure (self-reported physical function).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03HD041944-01A1
Application #
6573021
Study Section
Pediatrics Subcommittee (CHHD)
Program Officer
Shinowara, Nancy
Project Start
2003-01-01
Project End
2004-12-31
Budget Start
2003-01-01
Budget End
2003-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$79,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Arcadia University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
077070035
City
Glenside
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19038
Mangione, Kathleen K; Craik, Rebecca L; Palombaro, Kerstin M et al. (2010) Home-based leg-strengthening exercise improves function 1 year after hip fracture: a randomized controlled study. J Am Geriatr Soc 58:1911-7