For Hip Fracture Rehabilitation, Active Strengthening Is No Better Than Range-of-Motion Exercises

Impaired mobility following surgical repair of hip fracture was addressed in a randomized U.S. trial of a home-based program of active-strengthening exercises versus range-of-motion exercises. The trial involved 210 patients (mean age, 80) who were community dwelling and ambulatory prior to hip fracture and who were unable to walk 300 m in a 6-minute walk test during the several months following fracture repair (mean interval between fracture repair and enrollment, 14 weeks). Physical therapists visited all participants 2 or 3 times weekly for 16 weeks. The active-strengthening program focused on strength, balance, and ambulatory function; the active-control program consisted of seated range-of-motion exercises supplemented by transcutaneou…