The effect of exercise on hip muscle strength, gait speed and cadence in patients with total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of home versus in-hospital exercise (under supervision) programmes on hip strength, gait speed and cadence in patients with total hip arthroplasty at least one year after operation.


METHODS
Physical therapy and rehabilitation department.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients who had had a total hip arthroplasty operation 12-24 months prior to the study were enrolled.


METHODS
The patients were randomized into three groups: group 1 patients were assigned a home exercise programme, group 2 patients exercised under physiotherapist supervision in hospital, and group 3 served as the control group, with no specific intervention. The study duration was six weeks.


METHODS
Maximum isometric abduction torque of operated hip muscle, gait speed and cadence were measured before and after the study.


RESULTS
Maximum isometric abduction torques of the hip abductor muscles improved in groups 1 and 2, but not in group 3 (30 +/- 12 to 38 +/- 11 ft.lb in group 1, 18 +/- 10 to 30 +/- 9.8 ft.lb in group 2). Gait speed improved from 67.8 +/- 23 to 74.35 +/- 24 m/min in group 1, from 48.53 +/- 4 to 56.7 +/- 5 m/min in group 2 and from 58.01 +/- 12 to 59.8 +/- 14 m/min in group 3. Cadence also improved, from 97.7 +/- 18 to 111 +/- 17 steps/min in group 1, from 90.75 +/- 6 to 104.75 +/- 7 steps/min in group 2, and from 87 +/- 16 to 88.22 +/- 16 steps/min in group 3. When the three groups were compared, group 2 showed the best improvement (P = 0.006) only in maximum isometric abduction torque.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that both home and supervised exercise programmes are effective one year after total hip arthroplasty. Home exercise programmes with close follow-up could be recommended.
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Ece
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Eksioglu
Emel
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Aydog
Ece
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Aydog
Sedat Tolga
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Atay
Gulay
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D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011184:Postoperative Period