Early Coordinated Rehabilitation After Hip Fracture

Background Studies have shown that patients with hip fracture treated in a Comprehensive Geriatric Care (CGC) unit report better results in comparison to orthopaedic care. Furthermore, involving patients in their healthcare by encouraging patient participation can result in better quality of care and improved outcomes. To our knowledge no study has been performed comparing rehabilitation programmes within a CGC unit during the acute phase after hip fracture with focus on improving patients' perceived participation and subsequent effect on patients' function.

Method A prospective, controlled, intervention performed in a Comprehensive Geriatric Care (CGC) unit and compared with standard CGC. A total of 126 patients with hip fracture were recruited who were prior to fracture; community dwelling, mobile indoors and independent in personal care. Intervention Group (IG): 63 patients, mean age 82.0 years and Control Group (CG): 63 patients mean age 80.5 years. Intervention: coordinated rehabilitation programme with early onset of patient participation and intensified occupational therapy and physiotherapy after hip fracture surgery. The primary outcome measure was self-reported patient participation at discharge. Secondary outcome measures were: TLS-BasicADL; Bergs Balance Scale (BBS); Falls Efficacy Scale FES(S); Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) at discharge and 1 month and ADL staircase for instrumental ADL at 1 month.

At Sahlgrenska University Hospital patients with hip fracture are treated from admission to discharge in a CGC. To our knowledge no study has been performed within a CGC unit to compare rehabilitation programmes during the acute phase after hip fracture with focus on improving patients' perceived participation and the effect on patients' function.

The primary aim was therefore to evaluate a modified programme of coordinated inpatient rehabilitation during the acute phase after hip fracture surgery with focus was on patients' perceived participation. Secondary aims were to investigate effect on activities of daily living, functional balance and confidence and physical performance. A further aim was to investigate level of recovery at 1 month follow-up including risk for future falls.

Method Study design A prospective, controlled, intervention study. Evaluation of in-patient rehabilitation with follow-up at 1 month post-discharge.

Setting and Participants This study was performed in a CGC unit, at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden comprising three wards, with a total of 78 beds. During September 2013 and May 2014, a convenience sample of 126 patients with hip fracture was recruited. Patients were admitted to one of the three wards depending on available beds. One ward was allocated as the intervention ward and the other two as controls.

Comprehensive Geriatric Care (CGC) All three geriatric wards follow a structured, systematic interdisciplinary geriatric care pathway for hip fracture patients, commencing at admission pre-operatively through to discharge. This follows a fast track approach including; assessment and management of the patient's somatic and mental health, physical function, ADL ability, social situation, early mobilisation/rehabilitation and early discharge planning. While orthopaedic surgeons are responsible for surgical fixation of the patients' fracture and routine examination of X-rays after the patient has been weight-bearing, patients are admitted to and cared for throughout their hospital stay by the interdisciplinary team on the geriatric ward.

Control:Usual Care Treatment The control group received standard rehabilitation from occupational therapists (OT) and physiotherapists (PT) (Monday to Friday), planned individually and gradually progressed for each patient. Mobilisation with weight-bearing of operated hip was initiated within 24 hours after surgery, seven days a week. Patients were provided with a booklet with information about the fracture, operation method, exercise regime and assistive walking and ADL aid available. Information was collected using TLS-BasicADL \[26\] regarding the patient's previous levels of physical function and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and assessment of present ability performed as the patient was able. Patients received treatment by a PT on a daily basis (Monday to Friday) including mobilisation and progression of their exercise program, the number of times varied depending on patients' needs and staff resources. Interdisciplinary team meetings were held twice weekly to discuss progress and future planning. For those patients returning to own home, an OT prior to discharge, instructed them in the use of ADL aids, and assessed the need for aids in the home environment. All patients received both written and verbal information regarding prevention of falls prior to discharge.

Intervention

Psychological component:

Enhanced OT and PT collaboration: In addition to standard rehabilitation, focus was placed on promoting patient participation through closer collaboration between the OT and PT together with the patient. Patients were encouraged to take a more active part in and personal responsibility for their training and setting of rehabilitation goals. This involved, the OT and PT meeting the patient together within 24 hours postoperatively, they explained their roles in the inpatient rehabilitation process as facilitators to guide the patients in their recovery process while at the same time it was important that the patient felt involved and part of the team.

Goal setting using TLS-BasicADL: TLS-BasicADL protocol was used as in standard practice, however, an additional column for setting goals was added for the purpose of this study. Patients were encouraged, using the TLS-BasicADL protocol, to consider activities that were important to them to be able to perform at discharge. They were invited to answer the following question; "Which activities are important for you to achieve during your inpatient care?" The individual goals were followed up and adapted throughout the hospital stay using the TLS-BasicADL protocol.

Supporting patient self-efficacy: To strengthen patient's self-efficacy by challenging their fear of falling and encouraging patients' to progress their exercise. This was done under supervision of OT and PT with the aim that patients would gain confidence to take increased responsibility.

Physical component:

Training kit with instructions: To increase activity and encourage patients to take more responsibility for their training out with OT and PT treatment sessions, participants were provided with a training kit consisting of a sliding sheet and leg band to facilitate transfers in/out of the bed, a reaching aid, and stocking aid for training of ADL. Written and photographic instructions were included in the kit. All patients were given self-training exercises to perform daily to suit their level of dependence, adapted and intensified as the patient progressed.

Enhanced exercise with protocol: More intensive training of transfers, walking, balance and P-ADL was offered at least 3 times/day by OT and PT (Monday-Friday) from day 2 after surgery compared to control group. OT and PT filled in a training protocol showing when and how often patients received treatment. In addition the patients were encouraged to fill in an exercise diary.

Collaboration meetings: Over and above the twice weekly interdisciplinary meetings, the OT and PT met on a daily basis to plan daily training schedules to avoid collision. An additional meeting was held once a week, to further discuss routines concerning collaboration and treatment plans for individual patients. Patients were continually given feedback concerning their progress using TLS-BasicADL protocol.

Patients were asked daily about adverse reactions to treatment such as increased pain or fatigue, should this occur, events were documented in the patient records and treatment adapted as required.

Staffing levels and assessors The OT and PT staffing levels were similar on all three wards, with approximately 0.12 OT and PT per patient. Staff working on the two control wards were informed that the study was in progress, but no information was given regarding the content of the intervention, nor did they treat patients included in the intervention. The two OTs and three PTs who assessed the patients at discharge and one month were not blinded to the intervention but had no treatment association with the study patients.

Outcome Measures Demographic characteristics Pre-fracture baseline data were collected using a specifically designed study questionnaire covering social and living conditions, use of walking aids, frequency of outdoor walks with or without company, and level of social home service/informal help. Data concerning the fracture and other medical conditions were collected from medical records. At discharge, length of hospital stay and discharge destination were reported.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* presenting with acute hip fracture
* aged 65 or more
* able to speak and understand Swedish
* community dwelling pre-fracture
* independent walking indoors with or without walking aid and in personal care with exception of bathing/showering.

Exclusion Criteria:

* severe drug or alcohol abuse
* mental illness
* documented cognitive impairment ≤ 8 according to the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ)