Effects of a home program on strength, walking speed, and function after total hip replacement

• Published in: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Vol. 85; no. 12; pp. 1943 - 1951
• Main Authors: Jan, Mei-Hwa, Hung, Jane-Yu, Lin, Janice Chien-Ho, Wang, Shwu-Fen, Liu, Tang-Kue, Tang, Pei-Fang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.12.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Arthroplasty, replacement, hip; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - rehabilitation; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Orthopedic surgery; Patient Compliance; Program Evaluation; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Recovery of Function - physiology; Rehabilitation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Taiwan; Walking - physiology; Taiwan; Exercise; Rehabilitation; Arthroplasty, replacement, hip; Patient compliance; Physical exercise; Human; Speed; Physical training; Program; Prosthesis; Check; Replacement; Arthroplasty; Striated muscle; Hip; hip; Exercise; Patient compliance; Rehabilitation; Prevention; Design; Walking; Regulation(control); Score; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Unilateral; Clinical trial; Strength
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2004.02.011
• ISSN: 0003-9993

Jan M-H, Hung J-Y, Lin JC-H, Wang S-F, Liu T-K, Tang P-F. Effects of a home program on strength, walking speed, and function after total hip replacement. To assess the efficacy of a home exercise program in increasing hip muscle strength, walking speed, and function in patients more than 1.5 years after total hip replacement (THR). Randomized controlled trial. Kinesiology laboratory. Fifty-three patients with unilateral THR were randomly assigned to the training (n=26) and control (n=27) groups. Patients in the training group were further divided into exercise-high (n=13) and exercise-low (n=13) compliance groups according to their practice ratio (high, ≥50%). The training group underwent a 12-week home program that included hip flexion range of motion exercises for both hip joints; strengthening exercises for bilateral hip flexors, extensors, and abductors; and a 30-minute walk every day. The control group did not receive any training. Strength of bilateral hip muscles, free and fast walking speeds while walking over 3 different terrains, and functional performance were assessed by using a dynamometer, videotape analysis, and the functional activity part of the Harris Hip Score, respectively, before and after the 12-week period. Subjects in the exercise-high compliance group showed significantly ( P<.05) greater improvement in muscle strength for the operated hip, fast walking speed, and functional score than those in the exercise-low compliance and control groups. The designed home program was effective in improving hip muscle strength, walking speed, and function in patients after THR who practiced the program at least 3 times a week, but adherence to this home program may be a problem.