Physical Activity in the Acute Ward Following Hip Fracture Surgery is Associated with Less Fear of Falling

Abstract

Early mobilization following hip fracture surgery reduces medical complications and mortality, but may increase the risk of falling. The aim was to objectively measure the physical activity (time spent upright) the first week after hip fracture surgery and relate it to functional performance and fear of falling at discharge. The 24-hr upright time was measured for a median of six days using a thigh-worn accelerometer in 37 patients (mean 80 years ± 8.4) and increased from median 13 (IQR 6-31) min to 46 (11-107) min at day 7. More upright time at discharge was associated with less fear of falling (r = -.48, p = .01, n = 27), which also was associated with fast gait speed (r = -.50, p = .02, n = 23) and a faster Timed Up and Go test time (r = .54, p < .01, n = 22), indicating a need for further studies on motivation and limitations for more physical activity following hip fracture surgery.

Keywords: accelerometers; basic mobility; fear of falling; hip fracture; physical activity.