CompletedNot Applicable

An INtervention TO Improve MOBility of Older Hospitalized Patients

Switzerland383 participantsStarted 2022-12-15

Plain-language summary

Low mobility during an acute care hospitalization is very frequent, particularly among older patients, and associated with adverse outcomes, such as persistent functional decline, institutionalization and death. However, increasing hospital mobility remains challenging because of the multiple existing barriers. The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effect of a multilevel intervention to increase hospital mobility, which addresses modifiable barriers and facilitators and does not require unavailable additional resources. This study aims to answer whether this intervention can improve mobility and patient-relevant outcomes such as life-space mobility and functional status. The multilevel intervention will target: 1. The patients, who will receive an information booklet, a customizable diary, an exercise booklet and an iPad with access to the videos of the exercise booklet. 2. The healthcare professionals (nursing staff and physicians) who will complete an e-learning, receive an oral presentation on the intervention, and receive a "mobility checklist" that reminds them of what they should assess daily regarding mobility. 3. The hospital environment, where posters will be hung in the wards, including walking itineraries, on topics of interest to older adults. In a first phase, the intervention will be pilot-tested in one ward of each hospital. The intervention will then be adapted based on patient and healthcare professional feedback. In a second phase, the intervention will be tested in a cluster randomized controlled trial, and compared to standard of care.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria: * Admission to a general internal medicine (GIM) ward of a participating hospital * Age ≥60 years * Being ambulatory during the 2 weeks before admission (self-report) * Living in the community (not in a nursing home or another institution) for at least the last 30 days prior to admission * Ability to understand French or German * Planned length of stay at least 3 days after enrollment * For the pilot-study only: Possibility to start the study within 48 hours after admission to the GIM ward Exclusion criteria: * Medical contraindication to walk (e.g., wound not allowing loading weight) * Wheelchair-bound * End-of-life * Severe psychiatric disorder (severe depression, schizophrenia, psychosis) * Delirium (according to the Confusion Assessment Method \[CAM\]) Additional exclusion criterion for the pilot-study only: \- Dementia (defined as Mini-Cog \<3) Additional exclusion criteria for the RCT only: * Cognitive impairment making impossible to use study material (=implement the intervention) and to understand and sign informed consent, based on clinical judgement, except if a proxy can be actively involved in the study and provides consent * Severe visual impairment

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Life-space level

Timeframe: Day 30 (+/-5) after enrollment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05639231

SponsorInsel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-07-18

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Hospital Mobility trials