Upright time during hospitalization for older inpatients: A prospective cohort study.

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Upright time during hospitalization for older inpatients: A prospective cohort study.

Exp Gerontol. 2019 Aug 02;:110681

Authors: Theou O, Kehler DS, Godin J, Mallery K, MacLean MA, Rockwood K

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine, a) how long and how frequently older hospitalized patients spend upright; b) whether duration and frequency of upright time change by time of the day, the day of the week, and during hospitalization; and c) whether these relationships differ based on the mobility level of patients at admission.
METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 111 patients (82.2 ± 8 years old, 52% female) from the Emergency Department and a Geriatric Assessment Unit who were at least 60 years old and had an anticipated length of stay of at least three days. The main outcomes were accelerometer-measured total upright time and number of bouts of upright time during awake hours.
RESULTS: Patients were upright 15.9 times (interquartile range (IQR): 8.4-27.4) for total 54.2 min/day (IQR: 17.8-88.9) during awake hours. Time of day/day of week had little impact on the outcomes. Patients who walked independently at admission experienced a decline in upright time from 151.5 min (95% CI: 87.7-215.3) on hospital day 1 and a -4.5 min/day rate of change (-7.2 to -1.8). Those who needed personal mobility assistance or were bedridden had 29.5 min (-38.5-97.4) and 25 min (-48.3-100.3) upright time on day 1, and demonstrated a 3.6 (1.3-5.9) and 2.4 (0.05-4.5) min/day rate of change, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Hospitalized older adults spend only 6% of their awake hours upright while in hospital. Patients who can walk independently are more active but experience a decline in their upright time during hospitalization.

PMID: 31382011 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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