A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that a home exercise program can add a provided benefit to people recovering from a hip fracture.  The study included 232 older hip fracture patients who completed standard rehabilitation, and the participants were divided into two groups. One group did a home exercise program taught to them by a physical therapist, while a control group received in-home or telephone-based education about healthy eating.

According to a Health Day news release, the authors of the study note that the patients in the home exercise group showed greater improvements in physical abilities and balance those in the control group after 6 months of follow-up.

Nancy Latham, of Boston University, writes, “The traditional approach to rehabilitation for hip fracture leaves many patients with long-term functional limitations that could be reduced with extended rehabilitation. However, it is unlikely that additional months of highly supervised rehabilitation can be provided to patients with hip fracture.”

Overall, hip fracture patients who completed a standard rehab program had better physical function if they continued with a home workout regimen that included different exercises, such as standing from a chair or climbing steps. The researchers noted that exercise programs could be challenging for people to perform on their own if they don’t know whether the workout is being done properly and safely.

The authors of the study say this study could help hip fracture patients continue to exercise in their own homes. However, they add that further research is needed to determine if this program can be provided in a cost-effective way.

Source: Health Day