Improving mobility for older hospitalized patients
Impact of an INtervention TO Increase MOBility in Older Hospitalized Medical Patients (INTOMOB): a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing a new program to help older patients move better while they're in the hospital by providing them with helpful information and support for exercise.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 294 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Baden, Aargau and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05639231 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to enhance mobility among older patients during hospitalization by implementing a multilevel intervention that addresses barriers to mobility. Participants will receive educational materials, including an information booklet and exercise resources, while healthcare professionals will undergo e-learning to support patient mobility. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention on improving mobility and related outcomes such as functional status and life-space mobility. The approach is designed to be resource-efficient and does not require additional staffing or equipment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are older adults aged 60 and above who are ambulatory and have been living in the community prior to hospitalization.
Not a fit: Patients who are wheelchair-bound, have severe psychiatric disorders, or are at the end of life may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve mobility and overall functional outcomes for older patients during hospital stays.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that interventions aimed at increasing mobility in hospitalized patients can lead to improved outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Admission to a general internal medicine (GIM) ward of a participating hospital * Age ≥60 years * Being ambulatory during the 2 weeks before admission (self-report) * Living in the community (not in a nursing home or another institution) for at least the last 30 days prior to admission * Ability to understand French or German * Planned length of stay at least 3 days after enrollment * For the pilot-study only: Possibility to start the study within 48 hours after admission to the GIM ward Exclusion criteria: * Medical contraindication to walk (e.g., wound not allowing loading weight) * Wheelchair-bound * End-of-life * Severe psychiatric disorder (severe depression, schizophrenia, psychosis) * Delirium (according to the Confusion Assessment Method \[CAM\]) Additional exclusion criterion for the pilot-study only: - Dementia (defined as Mini-Cog \<3) Additional exclusion criteria for the RCT only: * Cognitive impairment making impossible to use study material (=implement the intervention) and to understand and sign informed consent, based on clinical judgement, except if a proxy can be actively involved in the study and provides consent * Severe visual impairment
Where this trial is running
Baden, Aargau and 3 other locations
- Kantonsspital Baden — Baden, Aargau, Switzerland (Recruiting)
- HFR-Fribourg - hôpital cantonal — Villars-sur-Glâne, Fribourg, Switzerland (Recruiting)
- Spital Tiefenau, InselGruppe AG — Bern, Switzerland (Terminated)
- Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, InselGruppe AG — Bern, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Carole E Aubert, MD, MSc — Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Study coordinator: Carole E Aubert, MD, MSc
- Email: caroleelodie.aubert@insel.ch
- Phone: +41 31 664 24 34
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.