Impact of Physical Therapy on Neurocognitive Status Following Hip Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients.

Background: Hip joint fractures are the most common fractures in elderly patients and a major cause of neurological disorders.

Objective: The purpose of this non-interventional, observational, prospective study is to evaluate the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions on the neuropsychophysiological profile of patients during the rehabilitation period after hip fracture surgery, starting from discharge from the hospital.

Methods: This study involved 64 mainly elderly patients who underwent surgery for various hip fractures and followed a standardized physical therapy protocol in the rehabilitation center. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) scores which are part of the neurological assessment in the rehabilitation center, were recorded on the 1st, 5th, 15th, and 30th days of hospitalization. Statistical analysis followed and the results aimed to evaluate the role of physical therapy in enhancing recovery and preventing cognitive complications in the postoperative period.

Results: The first 64 patients with hip fractures admitted in the rehabilitation center after the initiation of the study protocol were enrolled in the study. Always the same two observers recorded MMSE and CAM scores for each patient during the four aforementioned time points. A statistical analysis included descriptive statistics for each of the four studied time points proved that both MMSE and CAM scores showed statistically significant positive outcomes in the neuropsychophysiological profile of patients following the same physical therapy protocol.

Conclusion: Suggesting and supporting physical therapy through well standardized protocols after hip fracture surgery is crucial for improving and maintaining neurological status, particularly for patients at high risk of neurological disorders and delirium during the immediate postoperative period.