To determine whether arm and upper body exercises in addition to the standard rehabilitation programme improve outcomes after hip arthroplasty.
Prospective, parallel, randomized, controlled trial.
Orthopaedic and rehabilitation departments.
A total of 70 patients >60 years of age, who underwent hip replacement, out of 98 eligible candidates after exclusion criteria were implemented.
The study group took part in the supplementary arm and upper body exercise programme to be compared with the standard rehabilitation programme group.
The primary outcome was a Harris Hip Score. Secondary outcomes were: Hand grip strength and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively, two weeks after surgery and at 12 weeks follow-up.
In the intervention group, significant improvements were found: in functional ability - Harris Hip Score after two (mean difference = 4.7 points) and 12 (mean difference = 5.85 points) weeks; in muscle strength - handgrip for both hands (mean difference for dominant hand = 4.16 and for the other hand = 2.8) after 12 weeks; and in role-physical dimension SF-36 Health Survey (mean difference = 6.42 points) after 12 weeks.
Results of this study indicate that arm and upper body exercises in addition to the standard rehabilitation programme improve outcomes 12 weeks after hip arthroplasty.