Improving mobility for older patients in hospitals

Randomized Trial of Assisted Ambulation to Improve Health Outcomes for Older Medical Inpatients

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10896272

This study is looking at whether having special helpers called mobility technicians can encourage older patients to move around more while they're in the hospital, which could help keep them healthier and prevent problems like falls.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-10896272 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how having dedicated mobility technicians can help older patients move more during their hospital stay. Many older adults face serious health risks from being inactive while hospitalized, such as falls and skin breakdown. The study will involve 3,000 patients aged 65 and older across five hospitals, where some patients will receive assistance from mobility technicians while others will not. By comparing these groups, the research aims to determine the effectiveness of this approach in improving health outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients aged 65 and older who are hospitalized and at risk of mobility loss.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 65 or those who are not hospitalized may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better mobility and reduced complications for older patients during and after hospitalization.

How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller studies have shown that mobility technicians can increase patient mobility, but this research aims to provide more definitive evidence on their impact.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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.