A Scoping Review of Research on Joint Contracture in the Elderly

doi:10.12104/j.issn.1674-4748.2025.14.010

Abstract：Objective: To conduct a scoping review of research on joint contracture in the elderly, to organize the current status, adverse effects, influencing factors, assessment tools, and intervention methods of joint contracture, and to provide guidance for the management of joint contracture in China's elderly population. Methods: Based on the methodology of scoping review, computerized searches were conducted in the China Biological Medicine Database, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, as well as the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to October 10, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature, summarized, and systematically analyzed the results. Results: A total of 27 articles were included. The prevalence of joint contracture among the elderly ranged from 22% to 91%. The occurrence of joint contracture affects the quality of life, physical function, activity and participation of the elderly, and is also related to spontaneous fractures and fear of falling. Influencing factors include sociodemographic factors (age, race), physical factors (activity ability, exercise volume, passive joint movement resistance, muscle strength), and disease factors (neurological diseases, pain, cognitive impairment). Assessment methods for joint contracture in the elderly mainly include measurement of joint range of motion, a four-point scale for contracture, and three types of functional joint measurement methods. Intervention measures for elderly individuals with joint contracture include active exercise, passive exercise, ultrasound, stretching, bed positioning schemes, orthotic fixation, and a comprehensive intervention program. Conclusion: The incidence of joint contracture is high among the elderly, with complex influencing factors. After occurrence, it affects the quality of life of the elderly and is prone to cause fractures. Medical staff should pay attention to timely identification and prevention of joint contracture, standardize assessment methods, and in the future, focus more on the construction of stratified or precise intervention models to implement joint contracture management more effectively.