Abstract: Objective: To construct a functional exercise intervention program for total hip arthroplasty patients based on Noddings' caring theory and conduct a preliminary validation, in order to provide a reference for clinical care practice. Methods: A functional exercise intervention program based on the Noddings' caring theory was developed through literature review and expert consultation. The total hip arthroplasty patients in a tertiary grade A hospital in Guangxi from November 2022 to March 2023 were included in the control group (n=50) and received routine care, while the intervention group (n=50) who were included from April to August 2023 received nursing intervention based on the Noddings' caring theory in addition to the routine care. The compliance of functional exercises and hip joint function at different time points, the time of the first postoperative ambulation, and the length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Results: On the day of discharge, 1 month, and 3 months post-operation, the functional exercise compliance scores of the intervention group (58.02±4.13, 50.86±4.72, and 40.68±3.15, respectively) were significantly higher than those of the control group (52.02±2.10, 44.06±2.65, and 36.70±1.64, respectively) (all P<0.05). The hip function scores of the intervention group (63.68±8.34, 79.28±7.36, and 92.34±3.56, respectively) were significantly higher than those of the control group (58.52±7.93, 69.90±8.82, and 84.48±8.81, respectively) at each corresponding time point (all P<0.05). The time to first ambulation was significantly earlier in the intervention group than in the control group, and the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter (P<0.05). Conclusion: The intervention program of functional exercises for patients undergoing total hip replacement based on Noddings' caring theory has been preliminarily applied and it has been confirmed to improve the compliance of patients with functional exercises and promote the recovery of hip joint function.

Key words: Noddings' caring theory; hip replacement; functional exercise; compliance; hip joint function