Technology Assisted Physical Activity Among Hospitalised Medical Patients

Technology Assisted Physical Activity Among Hospitalised Medical Patients

Research show that inactivity during hospitalization is the norm and that the negative effects on muscle mass and the fitness of the patient will take a long time and hard work to recover afterwards.

Especially for weaker elderly patients, just a few days in bed could mean that they are not able to take care of themselves afterwards, with increased care expenses and increased risk of relapse as a consequence. Even though this is known, the work to motivate patients to be active during their hospitalization is limited to few training sessions with only the most vulnerable patients. No tools are today available for objectively tracking and motivating patients to be active during their stay. Having such a professional tool would not only motivate but also shift the attention of the health professionals towards the importance of physical activity in the treatment of the patient.

The aim of the studys is to investigate if patients hospitalised for medical disease will increase their time spent out of bed during hospitalisation through simple visual feedback about physical activities from a mobile bedside device.

The study will be conducted as a quasi-randomised trial using a large tertiary public hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. Patients admitted to Department of Respiratory Medicine (2 wards), Department of Cardiology, and Department of Geriatrics will be included, and they will have their physical activity level measured either with or without a bedside monitor providing visual feedback of time spent bedridden, sitting, standing and walking.

All participants will have their physical activity measured during hospitalisation. Approximately half of the participants will receive visual feedback about the amount of physical activity from a mobile device placed on the bedside table.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

An individual will be eligible for study participation if he/she meets the following criteria:

1. Is admitted to one of the participating departments
2. Has signed informed consent
3. Reads and speaks Danish

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

An individual will be excluded from the study if he/she meets any of the following criteria:

1. Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the person unfit for participation
2. Expected hospitalisation less than 24 hours
3. Has no independent ambulatory abilities (e.g. wheel chair user)
4. Needs personal assistance in body transfers and ambulation (Cumulated Ambulation Score 0, 1, 2, or 3)
5. Has allergy towards band aid