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Rehabilitation-Cognition Integrated Care Program for Elderly With Lower Limb Fractures and Cognitive Impairment: Development and Efficacy

Chen Q, Ding X, Wei Y, Wang J, Zhou M, Chen Y, Chen Y

Brain and behavior, 2026

128 participants

Abstract

Objective: To develop and assess the efficacy of a rehabilitation-cognition integrated care (RCIC) program for elderly patients with lower limb fractures and mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment.

Methods: A total of 128 eligible patients during January 2023 to December 2024 were randomly allocated to conventional (n = 64) or integrated care group (n = 64). Both groups received 12 weeks of intervention. Outcomes, including Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores, were compared. Serum neurotrophic and neuroinflammatory markers were analyzed pre- and post-intervention. Complications, fall recurrence rates, and nursing satisfaction were recorded.

Results: Post-intervention, both groups showed improved FMA, BBS, and FIM scores, with significantly greater improvement in the integrated care group (p 0.05), and higher nursing satisfaction (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The RCIC program significantly enhances motor function, balance, cognition, and psychological status while reducing complications and improving satisfaction in elderly fracture patients with cognitive impairment.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 128 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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