Rehabilitation After a Hip Fracture: the Effects of Dietary Protein and Exercise on Bone and Muscle Health and Quality of Life

Launched by WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY · Jun 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a diet high in protein combined with resistance exercise (strength training) can help older adults recover better after a hip fracture. Hip fractures can cause serious problems like loss of independence, muscle and bone weakness, and lower quality of life. The study aims to see if these two treatments, given together for three months, improve muscle and bone health, help patients feel better overall, and reduce healthcare costs compared to usual care.

To join the study, participants must be 65 years or older, have recently broken a hip, be mentally able to understand and agree to the study, and be admitted to a rehabilitation center involved in the research. People who are allergic to milk, have certain health problems like severe kidney or liver disease, or are taking certain medications that affect bones or muscles may not be able to participate. If eligible, participants will follow either the special diet and exercise program or the usual care, and their health and quality of life will be closely monitored over three months to see which approach works best.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the following criteria:
• • Age ≥ 65 years
• • Acute hip fracture
• • Able to give written informed consent
• • Mentally competent, as judged by the treating physician
• • Admission to a rehabilitation centre that participates in this research
• A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• • Allergic, intolerant or hypersensitive to milk/lactose (self-reported)
• • Not willing to stop using dietary supplements with exception of calcium and vitamin D
• • Pathological fracture or periprosthetic fracture
• • Abnormal hepatic or renal laboratory parameters, such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 ml/min/1,73 m2 (data from hospital)
• • Diagnosis of disorders/diseases where a high protein intake can be harmful, such as renal impairment or failure, or liver disease (geriatric care physician has the decisive voice)
• • Diagnosis of bone metabolic disorders such as primary hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease, or myeloma.
• • Taking medication other than bisphosphonates known to strongly alter bone, calcium or muscle metabolism, such as oestrogen, hormone replacement therapy, corticosteroids, anabolic agents, or calcitonin.
• • Disorders/diseases which may affect ability to follow study protocol and which cannot be overcome with help of a caregiver
• • Current participation in other scientific research
• • No permission to request information from the general practitioner/ treating specialist(s) about medical history, medication use, liver and kidney values, and details about the broken hip