Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether choice stepping reaction time performance is
impaired in people after hip fracture and whether different aspects of choice
stepping performance improve with rehabilitation.
DESIGN: This study includes a
secondary analysis of data obtained from participants in a randomized controlled
trial of exercise after hip fracture. SETTING: Data were either collected in a
hospital rehabilitation unit, research institute or participant homes. SUBJECTS:
The hip fracture group (n = 91) were recruited from three rehabilitation
hospitals in metropolitan Sydney. The control group (n = 77) were healthy age-,
gender- and dwelling-matched controls, participating in unrelated studies of fall
risk factors. MAIN MEASURES: Response time, movement time and total time
components of the choice stepping reaction time test. RESULTS: Improvements in
choice stepping reaction time were seen in people after hip fracture, during a
16-week rehabilitation period, however performance remained impaired (1808 +/-
663 ms), compared with matched controls (1029 +/- 255 ms, P<0.001). Further,
choice stepping performance was significantly slower when transferring weight
onto the affected leg (1271 +/- 615 ms), compared with the unaffected leg (1119
+/- 499 ms, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Movement deficits are evident for an extended
time frame following rehabilitation for hip fracture. The slower response time
following the rehabilitation period highlights ongoing difficulties with weight
transfer onto the affected leg.

Langue : ANGLAIS