Recovery of physical function after hip fracture: Analysis of secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive geriatric management on physical function after hip fracture. Materials and methods: This was a parallel-group 1:1 single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Fifty-three older adults (≥ 65 years) 3 to 12 months after hip fracture were randomized through a web-based system (independent statistical company) into usual care or usual care plus intervention (B4). The B4 group received management by a geriatrician, physical therapist and other health professionals. Outcomes were: Leg (knee extension) and grip strength, timed up and go; and self-report function at baseline, 6 and 12 months (blinded assessment). We estimated between-group differences at 6 and 12 months using linear mixed models, and compared function between groups with a global statistical test (incorporating the five measures). Results: There were no statistically significant differences between groups. For the combined sample, strength on the fractured leg (2.63, 95% CI: 0.86, 4.40 kg) and non-fractured leg (1.36, 95% CI: 0.12, 2.70 kg) were statistically higher than baseline values. Conclusions: There were no between group differences in physical function. Overall, older adults from both groups had small significant improvements in bilateral leg strength at final assessment, but below age-matched normative values.