A pilot investigation of the short-term effects of an interdisciplinary intervention program on elderly patients with hip fracture in Taiwan.
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.
Shyu
Yea-Ing Lotus
YI
Center for Gerontological Research, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Liang
Jersey
J
Wu
Chi-Chuan
CC
Su
Juin-Yih
JY
Cheng
Huey-Shinn
HS
Chou
Shih-Wei
SW
Yang
Ching-Tzu
CT
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