A Walking Programme for Adults Living in the Community after Hip Fracture: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To test the feasibility of a walking programme for community-dwelling adults recovering from hip fracture. Design A randomized controlled trial with embedded qualitative analysis. Setting Community. Participants Aged at least 60 years and living in the community after hip fracture. Interventions In addition to standard care, the experimental group received weekly home-based physiotherapy for 12 weeks to facilitate 100 minutes/week of moderate-intensity walking. Main outcome measures Feasibility domains of demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality and limited efficacy. Results Of 158 potentially eligible, 38 participated (23 women, mean age 80 years, SD 9). The recruitment rate of 24% indicated low demand. Participants considered the walking programme highly acceptable. The programme was implemented as intended; the experimental group received a mean of 11 (SD 1) consultations and averaged more than 100 min of walking per week. The programme was practical with no serious adverse events and no between-group difference in risk of falling or hospital readmissions. Demonstrating evidence of efficacy, there were moderate standardized mean differences for physical activity favouring the experimental group, who increased daily moderate-intensity physical activity compared to the control group (MD 8 min, 95% CI 2-13). There were no between-group differences in mobility, walking confidence or quality of life. Conclusion A walking programme for community-dwelling older adults after hip fracture was acceptable, could be implemented as intended and was practical and demonstrated preliminary evidence of efficacy in increasing physical activity. However, low demand would threaten the feasibility of such a programme.