Effects of Squat Exercise according to Weight Support on Balance and Gait in Patients after Total Hip Replacement: a Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this pilot study is to identify the problems and stability of a study to investigate "Effects of Squat Exercise according to Weight Support on Balance and Gait in Patients after Total Hip Replacement." before proceeding with the study. Methods: Twenty-two rehabilitation patients after THR surgery who met the selection criteria participated. The study subjects were randomly assigned to a squat group using a slider or a squat group using a reformer. The interventions were applied for two weeks. The patients were assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed up and go test (TUG), and 10-meter walking test (10MW). Results: Although twenty-two study subjects participated in this study, eight study subjects participated dropouts occurred during the study period. There was a significant difference within the group in BBS and TUG in two groups (p< 0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant in all outcome measures (p> 0.05). The largest effect size was 1.21 and the smallest effect size was 0.39, all from the BBS. Conclusion: This pilot study suggest that it is feasible with minor adjustment to conduct a larger scale, powered RCT to examine the efficacy of squat exercise according to weight support with patients after THR.