Institutional Versus Home-based Rehabilitation Programs following Unilateral Total Hip Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Research Objectives: To compare the functional changes following institutional and home-based rehabilitation programs following uncomplicated unilateral total hip replacement.

Design: A randomized controlled trial

Setting: A tertiary care teaching hospital

Participants: Persons with age 20 to 65 years, who underwent unilateral total hip replacement surgery.

Interventions: The persons were randomized into the two groups. The persons allocated in Group A received institutional (in-patient) based rehabilitation program for four weeks. The persons in Group B received home-based rehabilitation program for 4-weeks.

Main Outcome Measures: Persons were assessed with Harris' Hip Score (function), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of Pain and with Timed Up and Go (TUG) score. All persons were followed up till 3-months.

Results: For all the statistical tests used, the significance level was set at a p-value≤ 0.05, CI-95%. Both groups were comparable in terms clinical and demographical parameters. Both groups improved significantly in terms of function and reduction of pain. In inter-group comparisons, no significant differences were seen over time- Harris Hip Score (p = 0.707), VAS (p = 0.784), TUG score (p = 0.316).

Conclusions: Both groups had comparable improvements in functional efficacy over time. The results suggest that both interventions are equally effective in rehabilitating patients after total hip replacement.

Author(s) Disclosures: Nil