Article

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a home exercise program
in increasing hip muscle strength, walking speed, and
function in patients more than 1.5 years after total hip replacement
(THR).
Setting: Kinesiology laboratory.
Participants: Fifty-three patients with unilateral THR were
randomly assigned to the training (n
26) and control (n
27)
groups. Patients in the training group were further divided into
exercise-high (n
13) and exercise-low (n
13) compliance
groups according to their practice ratio (high,
50%).
Intervention: The training group underwent a 12-week
home program that included hip flexion range of motion exercises
for both hip joints; strengthening exercises for bilateral
hip flexors, extensors, and abductors; and a 30-minute walk
every day. The control group did not receive any training.
Main Outcome Measures: Strength of bilateral hip muscles,
free and fast walking speeds while walking over 3 different
terrains, and functional performance were assessed by
using a dynamometer, videotape analysis, and the functional
activity part of the Harris Hip Score, respectively, before and
after the 12-week period.
Results: Subjects in the exercise-high compliance group
showed significantly (P.05) greater improvement in muscle
strength for the operated hip, fast walking speed, and functional
score than those in the exercise-low compliance and control
groups.
Conclusions : The designed home program was effective in
improving hip muscle strength, walking speed, and function in
patients after THR who practiced the program at least 3 times
a week, but adherence to this home program may be a problem.

Langue : ANGLAIS