BACKGROUND: We conducted this meta-analysis to analyze the effectiveness of balance training in improving postoperative rehabilitation outcomes in hip fracture surgery patients. METHODS: The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed electronic databases were searched from their inception to December 2018. We selected prospective clinical control analyses and high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) following the inclusion standards. We used Stata 12.0 to perform the meta-analysis. Where possible, the standard mean difference (SMD) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined using a random effects model. RESULTS: Ten RCTs involving 955 hips (balance training = 487, control = 468) published between 2002 and 2019 were assessed for eligibility of inclusion in the meta-analysis. Balance training was shown to remarkably improve the aspects of quality of life associated with physical health (standard mean difference (SMD) 2.20; 95%CI 1.63 to 2.78, p = 0.000), a fast gait speed (SMD 1.01; 95%CI 0.25 to 1.77, p = 0.009), and balance (SMD 0.26, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.41, p = 0.000). Moreover, the balance training group showed increases in independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), performance task scores, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the present meta-analysis, balance training improves one's independence in activities of daily living, performance tasks, lower limb strength, gait, and total physical function compared with no balance training. More high-quality RCTs with large sample sizes are required for the identification of the best balance training program after hip fracture.

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