The application of "upper-body yoga" in elderly patients with acute hip fracture: a prospective, randomized, and single-blind study

Eight-four elderly patients surgically treated for a hip fracture were randomized to receive an upper-body in-bed yoga program or an abdominal deep breathing exercise regimen. The outcomes of interest included forced volume capacity (FVC), peak cough flow (PCF), the Barthel Index and the incidence of complications. Follow up was performed after 1 and 4 weeks of treatment. The results revealed significantly favourable PCF and Barthel Index scores after 1 week of treatment in the yoga group compared to the control group. After 4 weeks of treatment, FVC, PCF and Barthel index scores were significantly in favour of the yoga group. 1 case of pneumonia was reported in the control group.