Perioperative interventions to improve early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mitchell N Sarkies, Luke Testa, Ann Carrigan, Natalie Roberts, Rene Gray, Catherine Sherrington, Rebecca Mitchell, Jacqueline C T Close, Catherine McDougall, Katie Sheehan

Journal: Age and ageing 2023;52(8):afad154

PMID: 37596922

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Perioperative interventions could enhance early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Determine the effectiveness of perioperative interventions on early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture.

METHODS

Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from January 2000 to March 2022. English language experimental and quasi-experimental studies were included if patients were hospitalised for a fractured proximal femur with a mean age 65 years or older and reported measures of early mobilisation and physical function during the acute hospital admission. Data were pooled using a random effect meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies were included from 1,327 citations. Studies were conducted in 26 countries on 8,192 participants with a mean age of 80 years. Pathways and models of care may provide a small increase in early mobilisation (standardised mean difference [SMD]: 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.39, I2 = 73%) and physical function (SMD: 0.07, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.15, I2 = 0%) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation analgesia may provide a moderate improvement in function (SMD: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.24-1.05, I2 = 96%). The benefit of pre-operative mobilisation, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, recumbent cycling and clinical supervision on mobilisation and function remains uncertain. Evidence of no effect on mobilisation or function was identified for pre-emptive analgesia, intraoperative periarticular injections, continuous postoperative epidural infusion analgesia, occupational therapy training or nutritional supplements.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative interventions may improve early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture surgery. Future studies are needed to model the causal mechanisms of perioperative interventions on mobilisation and function after hip fracture.

© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: [email protected].

Address: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.; Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park NSW 2113, Australia.; James Paget University Hospital Foundation Trust, Norfolk NR31, UK.; Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.; School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.; Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney NSW 2031, Australia.; Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.; The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.; The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane 4032, Australia.; Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London WC2R, UK.
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