Progressing to Objective Measures of Daily Mobility in Hospitalized Older Adults

Theresa A. Floegel, Alberto Flórez-Pregonero, Linda P. Bolin, Catherine L. Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Accurate mobility assessment of hospitalized older adults is necessary to aid nurses in planning and providing appropriate mobility support; however, nurses cite lack of resources and time limitations as barriers. Accelerometry enables a detailed objective measurement of predominant hospital mobility activities in the older adult population, such as percent time sitting, and the sit-to-stand (STS) transition. The current exploratory study examined the use of a novel, unobtrusive accelerometry technique to obtain postural and STS metrics on 27 older adults during their hospital stay. Total device wear time in the hospital was 96.2%. Participants spent 60.3% time lying, 20.3% time sitting, 5.3% time standing, and 2% time stepping during hospitalization, and, on average, completed the STS transition 20 times (SD = 13) per 24-hour period. There were no participant complaints about wearing the device. Our exploratory study shows accelerometry provides automated, continuous data and may support accurate nursing assessment of patient mobility.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-41
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Gerontological Nursing
Volume48
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2022

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