OBJECTIVE: Differences in cognitive outcomes for two home-based 16-week interventions after usual rehabilitative care post-hip fracture were examined. METHODS: Community Ambulation Project randomized controlled trial included 210 hip fracture participants. Interventions: Specific multi-component (PUSH) included strength-, balance-, function-, and endurance-based exercises
non-specific active control (PULSE) included seated range-of-motion exercises and sensory transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation. Cognitive measures: Modified Mini-Mental State Examination, plus Hooper Visual Organization Test and Trails A/B in an ancillary study (CAP-MP, RESULTS: Over 16 weeks, PUSH-assigned participants became faster on Trails A (Δ = -6.3, 95% CI: -16.7, 4.2)
those in PULSE became slower (Δ = 9.3, 95% CI: -1.7, 20.3, DISCUSSION: Results suggest that multi-component exercise interventions like PUSH may prevent/delay decline or improve attention and psychomotor speed in patients with recent hip fracture.