Adherence to an Exercise Intervention Among Older Women Post Hip Fracture

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Hip fractures are a significant health concern for older women, often leading to reduced mobility and quality of life.
• Home-based exercise interventions are crucial for recovery but adherence can be challenging.
• Understanding factors influencing adherence is key to optimizing rehabilitation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate adherence to home-based exercise interventions in older women following hip fracture.
• To identify demographic, psychological, and social factors associated with exercise adherence.
• To examine the influence of these factors on adherence across the recovery trajectory.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 157 female hip fracture patients.
• Participants were assigned to one of three exercise intervention groups or a routine care group.
• Data on adherence, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, stage of change, social support, mood, health status, pain, and fear of falling were collected at baseline and 2, 6, and 12 months post-fracture.

Main Results:

• Adherence to exercise intervention sessions varied among participants.
• Several factors, including self-efficacy, social support, mood, and fear of falling, were found to influence adherence.
• The impact of these factors on adherence changed over the 12-month recovery period.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to home-based exercise interventions post-hip fracture is multifactorial.
• Targeting psychological and social factors may improve exercise adherence in older women.
• Personalized interventions considering the dynamic nature of recovery are recommended.