This study will help to determine whether frail older medical inpatients will benefit from targeted exercise sessions performed twice daily while in hospital. Half of the patients will complete targeted strengthening, balance and endurance exercises and the other half, stretching and relaxation exercises. The exercise sessions will be assisted and supported by a senior physiotherapist.
It is well known that older medical patients can experience functional decline following an acute hospital admission and this can persist for up to three months. The targeted exercises are designed to prevent this functional decline by maintaining the patients' strength, balance and endurance. To counterbalance the considerable time spent with the physiotherapy services in the intervention arm, the control group will receive stretches and relaxation exercises. Patients' length of stay is the primary outcome measure. Their physical performance and quality of life at discharge and at 3 months post discharge and their readmission rates are the secondary outcome measures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
190
Twice daily, individual, targeted, strengthening, balance and endurance exercises for the duration of the hospital stay, prescribed and delivered by a senior physiotherapist.
Twice daily stretching and relaxation exercises for the duration of the hospital stay, by a senior physiotherapist.
Mercy University Hospital
Cork, Ireland
Length of Stay
Patients length of hospital stay is recorded at the time of discharge from electronic admissions data
Time frame: At time of discharge from hospital (an expected average of 8 days post admission)
Physical Performance
The Short Physical Performance Battery will be completed, which includes a timed 4 m walk. Patients can score 0-12; scoring higher with better physical performance.
Time frame: At time of discharge from hospital (an expected average of 8 days post admission); and again at 3 months post discharge
Quality of Life
The EQ5D-5L will be completed by the patient.
Time frame: At time of discharge from hospital (an expected average of 8 days post admission); and again at 3 months post discharge
Re-admission Rate
The number of admissions within 3 months following the index admission will be recorded from hospital electronic records
Time frame: From the time of hospital discharge to 3 months post discharge
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