Background:
Older adults receiving inpatient rehabilitation have low activity levels and poor mobilityoutcomes. Increased physical activity may improve mobility. The objective of this Phase IIstudy was to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of enhancedphysical activity in older adults receiving rehabilitation.
Methods:
Patients admitted to aged care rehabilitation with reduced mobility were randomised toreceive usual care or usual care plus additional physical activity, which was delivered by aphysiotherapist or physiotherapy assistant. The feasibility and safety of the proposed RCTprotocol was evaluated. The primary clinical outcome was mobility, which was assessed onhospital admission and discharge by an assessor blinded to group assignment. To determine the most appropriate measure of mobility, three measures were trialled; the Timed Up andGo, the Elderly Mobility Scale and the de Morton Mobility Index.
Results:
The protocol was feasible. Thirty-four percent of people admitted to the ward were recruited,with 47 participants randomised to a control (n = 25) or intervention group (n = 22). The ratesof adverse events (death, falls and readmission to an acute service) did not differ between thegroups. Usual care therapists remained blind to group allocation, with no change in usualpractice. Physical activity targets were met on weekdays but not weekends and theintervention was acceptable to participants. The de Morton Mobility Index was the mostappropriate measure of mobility.
Conclusions:
The proposed RCT of enhanced physical activity in older adults receiving rehabilitation wasfeasible. A larger multi-centre RCT to establish whether this intervention is cost effective andimproves mobility is warranted.Trial registrationThe trial was registered with the ANZTCR (ACTRN12608000427370).