Can an automated motivation tool help older adults recover after hip fracture surgery

Purpose Hip fractures in older adults often cause a serious loss of strength and independence. Physical therapy helps people recover, but patients do not always exercise consistently or correctly. This study tests whether adding an automated motivational support tool to physical therapy helps patients recover better than physical therapy alone.

How the tool works The tool uses a regular camera to record movement during exercise. It does not use facial recognition. It gives the patient simple, encouraging messages, such as "great job" or "keep going." It does not give medical advice or correct the patient's movements during the session. The research team reviews the recordings later; they are not reviewed in real time.

Who can join People age 70 or older who had surgery for a hip fracture and are staying in the Orthogeriatrics Unit at Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, in Madrid, Spain.

What happens in the study Forty-eight people will take part.

Half will receive standard physical therapy plus one daily session with the motivational tool.

Half will receive standard physical therapy alone.

Researchers will measure physical performance with a short walking and balance test. They will measure it three times: at the start, when the patient leaves the hospital, and one month later.

Why it matters This study will show whether an automated motivational tool helps patients recover more strength and function after a hip fracture.