Participants in both RCTs were randomized consecutively to intervention and control groups. In RCT1, participants in the intervention group received postoperative care according to a multifactorial rehabilitation program in a specialist orthopedic geriatric unit. Multidisciplinary teams performed comprehensive geriatric assessment, management, and rehabilitation to prevent, detect and treat early postoperative complications. Control participants received conventional postoperative care in a specialist orthopedic [20 (link)].
In RCT2, all patients received postoperative care in the geriatric orthopedic department according to the multifactorial rehabilitation program (now the standard of care, based on RCT1 results). The intervention focus was early discharge, with rehabilitation in patients’ homes supported by an interdisciplinary geriatrics team [21 (link)]. As no difference in survival was detected in either RCT, data from all participants were analyzed together.
Randomization, recruitment, and intervention contents have been described previously [20 (link), 21 (link)]. Participants in both RCTs received written and oral information, and they or their next of kin provided consent. Participants and/or next of kin were informed that they could withdraw at any time with no repercussion. The RCTs were approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Umeå, Sweden (Dnr 00–137 and Dnr 08-053 M), and amendments for this study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Dnr 2021–00,024 and Dnr 2021–00,681). All methods were performed in accordance to the Declaration of Helsinki.
In RCT2, all patients received postoperative care in the geriatric orthopedic department according to the multifactorial rehabilitation program (now the standard of care, based on RCT1 results). The intervention focus was early discharge, with rehabilitation in patients’ homes supported by an interdisciplinary geriatrics team [21 (link)]. As no difference in survival was detected in either RCT, data from all participants were analyzed together.
Randomization, recruitment, and intervention contents have been described previously [20 (link), 21 (link)]. Participants in both RCTs received written and oral information, and they or their next of kin provided consent. Participants and/or next of kin were informed that they could withdraw at any time with no repercussion. The RCTs were approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Umeå, Sweden (Dnr 00–137 and Dnr 08-053 M), and amendments for this study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Dnr 2021–00,024 and Dnr 2021–00,681). All methods were performed in accordance to the Declaration of Helsinki.
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