Helping older adults walk more during hospital stays

Preventing Hospital-Acquired Disability: An Intervention to Improve Older Adult Patient Ambulation

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10876264

This study is all about helping older adults stay active and moving while they're in the hospital, so they don't lose their ability to walk and can recover better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-10876264 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on preventing hospital-acquired disability in older adults by improving their ability to ambulate during hospitalization. It addresses the issue that many older patients spend excessive time in bed, leading to a loss of mobility. The study aims to implement innovative care models that encourage nurses to engage patients in walking, overcoming barriers that currently limit this practice. By promoting ambulation, the research seeks to enhance the functional mobility of older adults during their hospital stay.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and over who are hospitalized and at risk of losing their ability to walk independently.

Not a fit: Patients who are not hospitalized or those who are unable to participate in ambulation due to severe medical conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired disabilities in older adults, improving their overall health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results in improving patient ambulation through innovative care models, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.