Testing the effectiveness of the exercise plus program in older women post-hip fracture.
BACKGROUND
Exercise is an important strategy with potential to improve recovery in older adults following a hip fracture.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to test the impact of a self-efficacy based intervention, the Exercise Plus Program, and the different components of the intervention, on self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and exercise behavior among older women post-hip fracture.


METHODS
Participants were randomized to one of four groups: exercise plus, exercise only, plus only (i.e., motivation), or routine care. Data collection was done at baseline (within 22 days of fracture), 2, 6, and 12 months post-hip fracture.


RESULTS
A total of 209 women were recruited with an average age of 81.0 years (SD=6.9). The majority was White (97.1%), was widowed (57.2%), and had a high school education (66.7%). Generalized Estimating Equations were used to perform repeated measures analyses. No differences in trajectories of recovery were observed for self-efficacy or outcome expectations. A statistically significant difference in the overall trajectory of time in exercise was seen (p<.001), with more time spent exercising in all three treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that it was possible to engage these women in a home-based exercise program and that the plus only, exercise only, and the exercise plus groups all increased exercise.
Resnick
Barbara
B
University of Maryland School of Nursing, and Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. barbresnick@aol.com
Orwig
Denise
D
Yu-Yahiro
Janet
J
Hawkes
William
W
Shardell
Michelle
M
Hebel
J Richard
JR
Zimmerman
Sheryl
S
Golden
Justine
J
Werner
Michele
M
Magaziner
Jay
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome