Increasing physical activity in hospitalized patients using digital nudges

Increasing Physical Activity Among Medical Inpatients by Digital Nudging of Patients and Staff - A Cluster Randomised Multicentre Study

NA · Bispebjerg Hospital · NCT06983977

This study is testing whether digital reminders can help hospitalized patients move more and be less sedentary during their stay in the hospital.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBispebjerg Hospital (other)
Locations4 sites (Copenhagen, Capital Region and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06983977 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicentre intervention aims to address the issue of sedentary behavior among medical inpatients, which can lead to functional decline. The study will involve 400 patients from hospitals in Copenhagen, Aalborg, Tórshavn, and Nuuk, who will receive digital feedback and nudging to encourage increased physical activity. The primary outcome will be the daily average time spent in physical activity, measured in minutes. By utilizing a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design, the study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of this digital intervention in promoting movement among hospitalized patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include medical inpatients who can understand and provide informed consent and are able to participate in physical activity.

Not a fit: Patients with severe acute medical conditions or those in the terminal phase of life may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the physical activity levels and overall functional capacity of hospitalized patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using digital interventions to promote physical activity, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Admitted to one of the participating wards
* Has understood and signed informed consent
* Reads and understands Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic or English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Has an expected hospitalisation less than 24 hours after potential recruitment
* Is not able to give informed consent to participate in the study
* Has allergy towards band aid
* Not able to (shortly) stand in an upright position even with maximal assistance
* There are contraindications for the patient to mobilise or be physically active due to unstabilized acute medical conditions, including, but not limited to, acute aortic dissection, -myocardial infarction, -pulmonary embolism, -sepsis.
* There are ethical concerns regarding the patients' participation in the study, including, but not limited to, the patient being:

  * In the terminal phase of life
  * In a crisis state regarding their disease/situation and deemed unfit for participation

To ensure medically responsible inclusion of patients, the project personnel will consult and confer with the treatment responsible medical doctor, or their delegate, before including a potential participant for the trial.

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen, Capital Region and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Physical Activity, Inpatients, Digital Health

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.