Acceptance and Frequency of Use of a Computer Game Based Exercise Training in Geriatric Patients After Hip Fracture Surgery

Falls and fall-associated fractures have a big medical burden on our societies. Older persons who suffer from a fall that leads to a trauma and fracture often loose functional capacity. They may have prolonged mobility problems and are at risk for long-term care or nursing home institutionalization. To date, measures to prevent such negative outcomes are early mobilization and functional physical or occupational therapy immediately following orthopedic surgery. In addition, patients usually are asked to train at home after hospital discharge. This can be achieved by a home training program or by ambulatory physical therapy. Recent technological development has introduced computerized training and gaming platforms into geriatric rehabilitation settings and home exercise training. Games that have been developed for a younger population have now been adapted to the needs of older persons. A recent systematic review has demonstrated that such platforms. for example Wii significantly improve balance and therefore have the potential to prevent falls]. However to date such platforms have not been evaluated in a defined geriatric hospital patient population (e.g. after a hip fracture) as an adjunct to in-hospital physical therapy. Thus, such platforms could be offered as an additional training opportunity.