Motivational Interventions and Physical Exercise in Patients With Fragility Fracture

Overview

Patients with a fragility fracture are twice as likely to have future fractures compared to their non-fractured peers. Furthermore, the 30% who suffer a fragility fracture do not regain the level of functioning in terms of activities of daily living after one year. A recent ecological study, in several European countries, estimates that if fracture patients were enrolled in fracture follow-up services, at least 19,000 fractures could be prevented each year. Clinical trials carried out in the research group have shown that the prescription of physical exercise in severe underlying pathologies is effective in improving physical function, quality of life and long-term results. Hypothesis: The implementation of a motivational intervention and physical exercise program, in a staggered manner, taking into account the basic exercise capacity, improves the functional status of the patient (basic activities of daily life), adherence to interventions and the level of physical activity, and therefore reduces the number of hospital admissions, refractures and other associated complications. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a rehabilitation intervention based on physical exercise and motivation, applied in a staggered manner and according to the functional capacity of patients with fragility fracture.

Method: Single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study, with 2 parallel arms and single-center. Study subjects: Patients who underwent surgery for a fragility hip fracture between September 2021 and September 2022 in a tertiary hospital in southern Spain. A progressive physical exercise and motivational intervention adjusted for functional capacity will be compared versus usual rehabilitation care. Follow-up of patients for 3 months and a final visit at 6 months. The primary outcome variables will be functional status for the development of activities of daily living (individual ability to care for himself) and number of hospital readmissions (reasons and consequences). Variables related to quality of life, cognitive status, laboratory markers and densitometry will also be analyzed.