Predictors of balance in older hip fracture patients undergoing standard motor rehabilitation

Key Summary Points Aim The aim of study was to identify factors predicting balance in older hip fracture patients undergoing motor rehabilitation.The aim of study was to identify factors predicting balance in older hip fracture patients undergoing motor rehabilitation. Findings Cognitive function, comorbidity and hip muscles strength are important predictors of balance in hip fracture patients. Message Knowledge of specific predictors could be useful for physicians to identify patients needing specific rehabilitation programs for balance. Purpose Little is known about the factors predicting balance in hip fracture patients. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to assess balance before and after inpatient rehabilitation and, secondarily, to identify factors predicting the balance levels in older hip fracture patients after motor rehabilitation. Methods Data were collected in 124 hip fracture patients over a 2-year period. All patients underwent a standard motor rehabilitation program. A modified version of Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score after rehabilitation, daily gain and percentage of improvement in BBS were the outcome measures. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of balance. Results The mean BBS score was 8.33 ± 7.23 at admission and 21.79 ± 12.15 at the end of rehabilitation ( p