title: A pilot investigation of the short-term effects of an interdisciplinary intervention program on elderly patients with hip fracture in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate an interdisciplinary intervention program for older people with hip fracture in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized experimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3,800-bed medical center in northern Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elderly patients with hip fracture (N=137) were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=68) or control (n=69) group.
  
  
  METHODS
  An interdisciplinary program of geriatric consultation, continuous rehabilitation, and discharge planning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic and outcome variables were measured. Outcome variables included service utilization, clinical outcomes, self-care abilities, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) outcomes, and depressive symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects in the experimental group improved significantly more than those in the control group in the following outcomes: ratio of hip flexion 1 month after discharge (P=.02), recovery of previous walking ability at 1 month (P=.04) and 3 months (P=.001) after discharge, and activities of daily living at 1 month (P=.01) and 2 months (P=.001) after discharge. Three months after discharge, the experimental group showed significant improvement in peak force of the fractured limb's quadriceps (P=.04) and the following health outcomes: bodily pain (P=.03), vitality (P<.001), mental health (P=.02), physical function (P<.001), and role physical (P=.006). They also had fewer depressive symptoms (P=.008) 3 months after discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This intervention program may benefit older people with hip fractures in Taiwan by improving their clinical outcomes, self-care abilities, and HRQOL and by decreasing depressive symptoms within 3 months after discharge.
authors.affiliation: Center for Gerontological Research, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yea-Ing Lotus
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Shyu
authors.forename: Jersey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Chi-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Juin-Yih
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Huey-Shinn
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Shih-Wei
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Ching-Tzu
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology