Assessing walking ability in older adults before major surgery
Official title: At-home Walking Cadence Functional Assessment and Recovery Trajectory for Older Adults Undergoing Major Surgery
Run by University of Chicago · NCT05886725 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how well older adults can walk at home before major surgery to see if it can help predict their recovery afterwards.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 2, 2023 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05886725 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are older adults aged 60 and above who are scheduled for major abdominal surgery and can walk independently.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who cannot walk independently or are scheduled for orthopedic, neurological, or cardiac surgeries may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study evaluates gait-cadence in older adults scheduled for major abdominal surgery at the University of Chicago. By using a smartphone application and accelerometers, the study aims to measure patients' walking cadence at home, providing insights into their functional status prior to surgery. The goal is to identify patients at risk of poor recovery outcomes and to understand their recovery trajectories post-surgery. This innovative approach seeks to overcome logistical barriers to functional assessments typically conducted in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pre-surgical assessments and tailored interventions that enhance recovery for older adults after major surgery.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of remote assessments for functional status is gaining traction, this specific approach using smartphone technology for gait-cadence measurement in this context is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients \> or = 60 years of age and scheduled for surgery. * Access to a safe walking space roughly 30 ft in length. Safe walking spaces include a long hallway in the home, common use hallway in an apartment building or outside public area. * Able to walk independently with or without an assistive device (e.g. cane or walker) Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to walk independently * Surgery scheduled less than 7-days after APMC appointment * Patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery * Patients scheduled for neurological surgery * Patients scheduled for cardiac surgery * Non-English speaking.
Where it's running
-
University of Chicago Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Daniel Rubin — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Daniel Rubin, MD
- Email: drubin2@bsd.uchicago.edu
- Phone: 773-702-6856
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.