• Yea-Ing Lotus Shyu, Jersey Liang, Chi-Chuan Wu, Juin-Yih Su, Huey-Shinn Cheng, Shih-Wei Chou, and Ching-Tzu Yang.
• Center for Gerontological Research, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
• J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 May 1; 53 (5): 811-8.

ObjectivesTo evaluate an interdisciplinary intervention program for older people with hip fracture in Taiwan.DesignRandomized experimental design.SettingA 3,800-bed medical center in northern Taiwan.ParticipantsElderly patients with hip fracture (N=137) were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=68) or control (n=69) group.InterventionAn interdisciplinary program of geriatric consultation, continuous rehabilitation, and discharge planning.MeasurementsDemographic and outcome variables were measured. Outcome variables included service utilization, clinical outcomes, self-care abilities, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) outcomes, and depressive symptoms.ResultsSubjects in the experimental group improved significantly more than those in the control group in the following outcomes: ratio of hip flexion 1 month after discharge (P=.02), recovery of previous walking ability at 1 month (P=.04) and 3 months (P=.001) after discharge, and activities of daily living at 1 month (P=.01) and 2 months (P=.001) after discharge. Three months after discharge, the experimental group showed significant improvement in peak force of the fractured limb's quadriceps (P=.04) and the following health outcomes: bodily pain (P=.03), vitality (P<.001), mental health (P=.02), physical function (P<.001), and role physical (P=.006). They also had fewer depressive symptoms (P=.008) 3 months after discharge.ConclusionThis intervention program may benefit older people with hip fractures in Taiwan by improving their clinical outcomes, self-care abilities, and HRQOL and by decreasing depressive symptoms within 3 months after discharge.

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