Extract

Background and study aims Hip fracture is a common, major health problem in old age. It is strongly associated with other health problems, under-nutrition, weakness, and poor physical and mental functioning. The death rate is high with 25% dying within the following 12 months. Many who were living independently before their fracture lose their independence afterwards, so it imposes a large cost burden on society amounting to about £2 billion a year. As the population ages the numbers of elderly people falling and fracturing their hips is increasing. As well as prompt surgical treatment the guidelines recommend that the associated medical needs are assessed promptly by a physician specialised in caring for such patients, who can also devise a multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Such rehabilitation starts whilst in hospital during the recovery period after the operation and continues in the community following hospital discharge. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation is thought to aid in recovery after a hip fracture, but more research is needed. In the first phase of the study we developed a rehabilitation programme from examples of good practice from a national survey and from what patients, their carers and rehabilitation staff told us in focus group interviews. We are now conducting a small-scale study to find out whether enough people are willing to take part, whether the intervention can be run, whether we can collect the necessary information, and how people feel about taking part and their views of the intervention. Who can participate? Adults aged 65 years or older who have recently had a hip fracture and had undergone surgery can take part. What does the study involve? The study involves agreeing to answer questions on your health and how your hip fracture has affected how you function in daily life, how you use health and social services, and also some tests of physical function such as your hand grip strength, and after 3 months how well you can get up out of a chair and walk. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either the usual rehabilitation available or a different programme of rehabilitation. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? The advantages are that taking part in a study such as this can give additional benefits to people in whichever group they are in. We do not anticipate any disadvantage from participating as both groups will receive a programme of rehabilitation. Where is the study run from? The study is run from the three acute hospitals in North Wales, UK (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board): Gwynedd Hospital (Ysbyty Gwynedd), Glan Clwyd Hospital (Ysbyty Glan Clwyd) and Wrexham Maelor Hospital (Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor). When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? The study started in June 2014 and is expected to run until April 2015. Who is funding the study? National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK) - Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Who is the main contact? Dr Nefyn Williams [email protected]

Inclusion criteria

• Rehabilitation for people aged 65 and over following surgery for fractured neck of femur

Links

• ictrp
• isrctn