Physical Activity During Hospitalization and Hospital-Associated Disability

NCT07830381 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: RESTART PhD - VEK (H-26035511)
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 170
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examines physical activity during and after hospitalization in acutely hospitalized older adults and its association with hospital-associated disability (HAD). Older adults have low levels of physical activity during acute hospitalization, which is associated with an increased risk of HAD. HAD is a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living that occurs in relation to hospitalization and cannot be explained by the acute illness alone. HAD affects up to 30% of acutely hospitalized older adults and is associated with adverse outcomes, including an increased risk of discharge to a nursing home, readmission, and mortality. Furthermore, patients who develop HAD are at risk of not regaining their pre-admission functional level and experiencing persistent functional decline after discharge. Physical activity and exercise are recommended as strategies to prevent HAD. However, many acutely hospitalized older adults have limited capacity or motivation to engage in structured exercise. It therefore remains unclear how much physical activity during hospitalization is sufficient to reduce the risk of HAD and which types of physical activity patients are able and prefer to perform. The study will also examine patients' ability and preferences for different types of physical activity during hospitalization and explore their motivation, barriers, and preferences for physical activity after discharge. The results may help identify clinically relevant levels of physical activity during hospitalization and contribute to more patient-centered approaches to supporting physical activity and preventing functional decline during and after hospitalization.

Conditions

Acute Disease; Old Age; Geriatric; Physical Activity; Hospital-associated Disability

Keywords

Hospital-associated disability; Geriatric; Physical activity; Hospital mobility; Older adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Hospital-associated disability

  Hospital-associated disability (HAD) is defined as a new decline in functional independence in at least one activity compared with the participant's pre-admission level. Functional independence is assessed using three components: six basic activities of daily living from the Katz Index (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding); five instrumental activities of daily living inspired by the Lawton IADL Index (shopping, housekeeping, laundry, food preparation, and medication management); and four mobility-related activities (walking 400 meters without rest, climbing or descending one flight of stairs without rest, carrying 5 kg, and driving a car). Each activity is scored as unable to perform (0), able to perform with assistance (1), or able to perform independently (2). Participants with a decline in independence in at least one activity compared with their retrospectively assessed pre-admission level are classified as having HAD.

  At inclusion and 1, 4 and 8 weeks after discharge

• Imagined ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization

  Participants' imagined ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization will be assessed by asking whether they can imagine performing the activity daily during hospitalization. Imagined ability will be assessed for hallway walking (200 steps) and resistance exercise (three sets of 8-12 sit-to-stand repetitions) and group-based functionel training.

  At inclusion

• Actual ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization

  Participants' actual ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization will be assessed by asking them to perform hallway walking (200 steps) and resistance exercise (three sets of 8-12 sit-to-stand repetitions). For each activity, actual ability will be categorized as able to complete the activity as defined, 0) unable to complete the activity, 1) able to complete the activity with assistance and 2) able to complete the activity independently. Reasons for inability to complete an activity will be recorded.

  At inclusion

• Preferred type of physical activity during hospitalization

  Participants will be asked which type of physical activity they prefer: hallway walking, resistance training and group-based functional training. (Group-based functional training will be assessed as a preference only and will not be physically performed as part of the assessment).

  At inclusion

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Mean Daily steps

  From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

• Mean daily uptime

  From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

• Mean daily walking

  From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

• Mean daily standing

  From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

• Mean daily lying/sitting

  From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

Other Outcomes (11)

• Self-reported mobility

  Days 2, 4 and 6 after inclusion during hospitalization

• Life space mobility

  At inclusion and 4 and 8 weeks post discharge

• Self-reported pre-admission (2 weeks prior to admission) and post discharge mobility

  At inclusion and 1, 4 and 8 weeks post discharge

Study Arms (1)

Acutely Hospitalized Older Adults

A prospective cohort of 170 adults aged 65 years or older acutely admitted to the Department of Geriatrics or the Department of Cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital - Hvidovre. Participants will be consecutively recruited within 48 hours of admission and followed during hospitalization and at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after discharge.

Other: Physical Activity During and After Hospitalization

Interventions

Physical Activity During and After Hospitalization OTHER

Participants will receive standard care throughout hospitalization. In addition to standard care, participants will take part in a single supervised assessment of their ability and preferences for different types of physical activity. The assessment includes hallway walking (200 steps, with walking aids or assistance if needed) and resistance exercise consisting of three sets of 8-12 repetition maximum sit-to-stands. Participants will also be asked about their preference for group-based functional training and about their motivation and barriers related to physical activity. Physical activity will be objectively measured using SENS motion® sensor technology continuously during hospitalization and for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up after discharge. Self-reported mobility during hospitalization will also be assessed. After discharge, participants' experiences, motivation, barriers, and preferences related to physical activity and rehabilitation will be explored th

Acutely Hospitalized Older Adults

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Older adults (65 years or older) acutely admitted to the Department of Geriatrics or the Department of Cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre.

You may qualify if:

• Aged 65 years or older
• Acutely admitted to the Department of Geriatrics or the Department of Cardiology

You may not qualify if:

• In isolation
• Delirium
• Unable to provide informed consent
• Unable to speak and understand Danish
• Unable to take one step

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hvidovre University Hospital: lead
• Department of Geriatric, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre: collaborator
• Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre

Hvidovre, Denmark

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Acute Disease; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Lea Kromann Etzerodt, MHSc

  Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Lea Kromann Etzerodt, MHSc

CONTACT

+4538620210; lea.kromann.johansen.01@regionh.dk

Mette Merete Pedersen, PhD

CONTACT

+4538623350; mette.merete.pedersen@regionh.dk

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator (PhD scientist)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 9, 2026
• First Posted: September 21, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2029
• Last Updated: September 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

DK (1)