To analyse the effect of foot and ankle functional trainer combined with visual feedback balance function training in postoperative motor ability of elderly hip fracture patients based on propensity score matching (PSM).

From December 2022 to June 2024, 120 elderly patients with hip fractures who were admitted to Xuzhou Central Hospital were selected as the research subjects. Inclusion criteria: (1) age ≥60 years; (2) clinically diagnosed with hip fractures through imaging; (3) received surgical treatment for hip fractures during their hospital stay. Exclusion criteria: (1) pathological fractures caused by tumors, hyperparathyroidism, etc.; (2) concurrent fractures in other parts or previous hip surgeries; (3) severe neurological diseases or dementia; (4) incomplete clinical data. The patients were divided into the combined group (n=52) and the control group (n=68) based on different training methods. After 1∶1 matching using PSM, 46 patients were in each group. Among them, the combined group received combined training with a foot and ankle functional trainer and visual feedback balance function training, while the control group received training with a single foot and ankle functional trainer. The differences in the lower limb part of the Fugl-Meyer motor function rating scale (FMA-L), Harris hip fuction score (HHS-F), and Berg balance scale (BBS) before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Count data were expressed as the number of cases (n) and rate (%), and chi square test was performed; for data that met normal distribution, they were expressed using and independent sample t test was used for group comparison.

After PSM, there was no statistically significant difference in the baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). After eight weeks of intervention, the FMA-L scores of both groups were higher than those before the intervention, and the combined group (33.1±3.1) points were higher than the control group (22.0±3.0) points (t=17.448, P<0.05); the HHS-F scores of both groups were higher than those before the intervention, and the HHS-F score of the combined group (85±5) points and its excellent rate (89.1%) were higher than those of the control group (82±5) points, (78.3%) (t=2.788, P<0.05); the BBS scores of both groups were higher than those before the intervention, and the combined group was (45.5±3.5) points higher than the control group (33.8±3.2) points (t=16.666, P<0.05).

Foot and ankle functional trainer combined with visual feedback balance function training can effectively improve the postoperative motor ability as well as balance function of elderly hip fracture patients, and PSM analysis supports the reliability of its effect, which has clinical promotion value.