NCT05972005

Stronger At Home: Improving Outcomes for Older Adults After Hip Fracture

Stronger At Home: Improve Functional Outcomes for Community-dwelling Older Adults After Hip Fracture

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Dr. Mohammad Auais, PhD · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of a new 14-week individually-tailored home-based rehabilitation program called "Stronger at Home" with usual care in improving functional recovery in community-dwelling older adults after hip fractures. The main question this trial aims to answer are: • Is the Stronger at Home program more effective than usual care in improving functional recovery at the end of the 14-week intervention? secondary questions include: * What is the cost-utility of the Stronger at Home program compared to usual care at 3.5 months, 6 months, and 12 months after discharge? * Does the program have a sustained impact on functional recovery at 6 months and 12 months post-discharge? Participants in the trial will be asked to engage in the following tasks: * Participate in the Stronger at Home program, which includes using a self-directed toolkit consisting of educational resources and an illustrated exercise program. * Follow the guidelines provided in the toolkit for gradually increasing exercise intensity and incorporating different types of exercises into their daily life. The effects of the Stronger at Home program will be compared to those of usual care.

Detailed description

The primary research question of this project is whether the Stronger at Home program, a 14-week individually-tailored home-based rehabilitation program, is more effective than usual care in improving functional recovery in community-dwelling older adults after hip fractures. The evaluation of effectiveness will be conducted at the end of the intervention, which is the primary time point. In addition to the main research question, secondary aims of the project include evaluating the cost-utility of the Stronger at Home program compared to usual care at 3.5 months, 6 months, and 12 months after discharge. The program's impact on functional recovery will also be assessed at medium-term (6 months) and long-term (12 months) follow-ups after the participants are discharged from the hospital to their homes. The need for conducting this trial arises from a knowledge gap in effective rehabilitation programs for community-dwelling individuals with hip fractures. The Stronger at Home program was developed through a multistage study incorporating a self-directed toolkit and a new model of care. The development process involved critical analysis of previous programs, adherence to four principles of a successful program, and consultations with researchers, policymakers, older adults, and clinicians. The toolkit includes an educational component and an illustrated exercise program with progressively increasing intensity. The pilot study of the Stronger at Home program has shown feasibility, with positive feedback from healthcare providers and patients regarding its value.

Conditions

• Hip Fractures

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	The Intervention (Stronger at Home Intervention)	The home-based intervention includes 8 visits by a PT and/or PTA. The PT conducts 3 visits for initial assessment, program design, coaching, and discharge assessments. The program targets personal goals and provides pain self-management support. The second PT visit at 6 weeks allows for reassessment and adjustments. The intervention ensures adherence through multiple sessions, tailored exercises, barrier-solving support, and motivational strategies. The PTA conducts solo visits every other week, assisting with exercises and education under PT supervision. This inclusion reduces wait times and improves efficiency. The clinical team consists of at least 2 PTs and 2 PTAs trained for 3 days. The exercise program adheres to evidence-based principles, involving a 30-minute session with warm-up, exercise, and cool-down. Participants are encouraged to exercise 5 times a week, focusing on strengthening, balance, and functionality. Feasible compliance rates were observed in the pilot study.
OTHER	Usual care (Control)	The control group will receive usual home care provided by the healthcare system, which could vary between cases. We'll document their received care during follow-ups as it is inconsistent and poorly recorded. Regular check-in calls by the study coordinator will remind them of assessments, reducing attrition.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-10-17
• Primary completion: 2027-10-17
• Completion: 2028-07-29
• First posted: 2023-08-02
• Last updated: 2025-03-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada