CClinicalTrials.gg
Not yet recruitingNCT07830381Updated Sep 21, 2026

Physical Activity During Hospitalization and Hospital-Associated Disability

An observational study in Acute Disease, Old Age and Geriatric, sponsored by Hvidovre University Hospital. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Denmark. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-21.

Sponsored by Hvidovre University Hospital · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
170
Ages
65 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study examines physical activity during and after hospitalization in acutely hospitalized older adults and its association with hospital-associated disability (HAD).

Older adults have low levels of physical activity during acute hospitalization, which is associated with an increased risk of HAD. HAD is a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living that occurs in relation to hospitalization and cannot be explained by the acute illness alone. HAD affects up to 30% of acutely hospitalized older adults and is associated with adverse outcomes, including an increased risk of discharge to a nursing home, readmission, and mortality. Furthermore, patients who develop HAD are at risk of not regaining their pre-admission functional level and experiencing persistent functional decline after discharge.

Physical activity and exercise are recommended as strategies to prevent HAD. However, many acutely hospitalized older adults have limited capacity or motivation to engage in structured exercise. It therefore remains unclear how much physical activity during hospitalization is sufficient to reduce the risk of HAD and which types of physical activity patients are able and prefer to perform. The study will also examine patients' ability and preferences for different types of physical activity during hospitalization and explore their motivation, barriers, and preferences for physical activity after discharge.

The results may help identify clinically relevant levels of physical activity during hospitalization and contribute to more patient-centered approaches to supporting physical activity and preventing functional decline during and after hospitalization.

Read the detailed description

This study is a prospective cohort study investigating physical activity, functioning, and hospital-associated disability (HAD) in acutely hospitalized older adults. The study also examines patients' ability, preferences, motivation, and barriers related to physical activity during hospitalization and after discharge.

Physical activity levels are generally low among older adults during acute hospitalization and are associated with an increased risk of HAD. Physical activity and exercise are recommended as strategies to prevent functional decline during hospitalization. However, there is currently no clear threshold for how much physical activity is needed to reduce the risk of HAD. Furthermore, many acutely hospitalized older adults have limited capacity or motivation to engage in structured exercise, highlighting the need to understand which forms and levels of physical activity are both clinically relevant and feasible from the patients' perspective.

The study will include 170 adults aged 65 years or older who are acutely admitted to the Department of Geriatrics or the Department of Cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital - Hvidovre. Participants will be consecutively recruited within 48 hours of admission and followed during hospitalization and at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after discharge.

During hospitalization:

At inclusion, participants will undergo a baseline assessment consisting of clinical tests and questionnaires assessing functioning, mobility, frailty, health literacy, general health, physical activity, and demographic characteristics.

24-hour physical activity will be objectively measured using SENS motion® sensor technology. The sensor will be worn continuously during hospitalization and will provide information on daily step count and time spent walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. Self-reported mobility during hospitalization will additionally be assessed using the Danish version of the Acute Care Mobility Assessment (ACMA-DK).

During hospitalization participants' imagined and actual ability to perform different forms of physical activity will also be assessed, together with their preferences, motivation, and barriers related to physical activity. Participants will be asked to evaluate and perform two clinically relevant activity types: hallway walking and resistance exercise. They will also be asked about their preference for group-based functional training.

1 week after discharge: Participants will be contacted by telephone to assess functioning and the development of HAD following hospitalization.

4 weeks after discharge: Participants will be contacted by telephone to reassess functioning and whether functional decline following hospitalization persists.

8 weeks after discharge: An 8-week follow-up assessment will be conducted in the participant's home. Physical activity after discharge will be objectively measured using SENS motion® sensor technology for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up. At the follow-up visit, physical function, mobility, and the development or persistence of HAD will be assessed.

A qualitative study is embedded within the prospective cohort to explore patients' experiences and perspectives on physical activity after discharge. Participants will be recruited among patients who have completed the 8-week follow-up. Semi-structured interviews will explore motivation, barriers, and preferences related to physical activity after discharge, as well as experiences with rehabilitation.

The overall aim of the project is to integrate objectively measured physical activity patterns, clinical measures of functioning, and patients' own experiences and preferences to contribute to the development of a practice-oriented and patient-centered approach to preventing HAD in acutely hospitalized older adults.

02

Conditions studied

  • Acute Disease
  • Old Age
  • Geriatric
  • Physical Activity
  • Hospital-associated Disability

Keywords

  • Hospital-associated disability
  • Geriatric
  • Physical activity
  • Hospital mobility
  • Older adults
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
65 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Older adults (65 years or older) acutely admitted to the Department of Geriatrics or the Department of Cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 65 years or older
  • Acutely admitted to the Department of Geriatrics or the Department of Cardiology

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • In isolation
  • Delirium
  • Unable to provide informed consent
  • Unable to speak and understand Danish
  • Unable to take one step
04

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
170 participants (estimated)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Acutely Hospitalized Older Adults

    A prospective cohort of 170 adults aged 65 years or older acutely admitted to the Department of Geriatrics or the Department of Cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital - Hvidovre. Participants will be consecutively recruited within 48 hours of admission and followed during hospitalization and at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after discharge.

    Other: Physical Activity During and After Hospitalization

Interventions

  • OtherPhysical Activity During and After Hospitalization

    Participants will receive standard care throughout hospitalization. In addition to standard care, participants will take part in a single supervised assessment of their ability and preferences for different types of physical activity. The assessment includes hallway walking (200 steps, with walking aids or assistance if needed) and resistance exercise consisting of three sets of 8-12 repetition maximum sit-to-stands. Participants will also be asked about their preference for group-based functional training and about their motivation and barriers related to physical activity. Physical activity will be objectively measured using SENS motion® sensor technology continuously during hospitalization and for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up after discharge. Self-reported mobility during hospitalization will also be assessed. After discharge, participants' experiences, motivation, barriers, and preferences related to physical activity and rehabilitation will be explored th

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Hospital-associated disability

    Hospital-associated disability (HAD) is defined as a new decline in functional independence in at least one activity compared with the participant's pre-admission level. Functional independence is assessed using three components: six basic activities of daily living from the Katz Index (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding); five instrumental activities of daily living inspired by the Lawton IADL Index (shopping, housekeeping, laundry, food preparation, and medication management); and four mobility-related activities (walking 400 meters without rest, climbing or descending one flight of stairs without rest, carrying 5 kg, and driving a car). Each activity is scored as unable to perform (0), able to perform with assistance (1), or able to perform independently (2). Participants with a decline in independence in at least one activity compared with their retrospectively assessed pre-admission level are classified as having HAD.

    Time frame: At inclusion and 1, 4 and 8 weeks after discharge

  2. Imagined ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization

    Participants' imagined ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization will be assessed by asking whether they can imagine performing the activity daily during hospitalization. Imagined ability will be assessed for hallway walking (200 steps) and resistance exercise (three sets of 8-12 sit-to-stand repetitions) and group-based functionel training.

    Time frame: At inclusion

  3. Actual ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization

    Participants' actual ability to perform physical activity during hospitalization will be assessed by asking them to perform hallway walking (200 steps) and resistance exercise (three sets of 8-12 sit-to-stand repetitions). For each activity, actual ability will be categorized as able to complete the activity as defined, 0) unable to complete the activity, 1) able to complete the activity with assistance and 2) able to complete the activity independently. Reasons for inability to complete an activity will be recorded.

    Time frame: At inclusion

  4. Preferred type of physical activity during hospitalization

    Participants will be asked which type of physical activity they prefer: hallway walking, resistance training and group-based functional training. (Group-based functional training will be assessed as a preference only and will not be physically performed as part of the assessment).

    Time frame: At inclusion

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mean Daily steps

    Number of daily steps assessed by a SENS motion® accelerometer worn continuously from inclusion and throughout hospitalization and for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up after discharge. A measurement day is considered valid if more than 20 hours of 24-hour mobility data are available. For each participant, mean daily step count is calculated across all available valid days within each measurement period.

    Time frame: From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

  2. Mean daily uptime

    Daily time spent in uptime assessed by a SENS motion® accelerometer worn continuously from inclusion and throughout hospitalization and for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up after discharge. A measurement day is considered valid if more than 20 hours of 24-hour mobility data are available. For each participant, mean daily step count is calculated across all available valid days within each measurement period.

    Time frame: From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

  3. Mean daily walking

    Daily time spent walking assessed by a SENS motion® accelerometer worn continuously from inclusion and throughout hospitalization and for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up after discharge. A measurement day is considered valid if more than 20 hours of 24-hour mobility data are available. For each participant, mean daily step count is calculated across all available valid days within each measurement period.

    Time frame: From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

  4. Mean daily standing

    Daily time spent standing assessed by a SENS motion® accelerometer worn continuously from inclusion and throughout hospitalization and for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up after discharge. A measurement day is considered valid if more than 20 hours of 24-hour mobility data are available. For each participant, mean daily step count is calculated across all available valid days within each measurement period.

    Time frame: From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

  5. Mean daily lying/sitting

    Daily time spent sitting or lying assessed by a SENS motion® accelerometer worn continuously from inclusion and throughout hospitalization and for seven consecutive days prior to the 8-week follow-up after discharge. A measurement day is considered valid if more than 20 hours of 24-hour mobility data are available. For each participant, mean daily step count is calculated across all available valid days within each measurement period.

    Time frame: From inclusion through hospital discharge, an average of 5 days; and 7 consecutive days before the 8-week follow-up

Other outcomes

  1. Self-reported mobility

    Self-reported mobility by the Acute Care Mobility Assessment. A score of 0-12 can be obtained, with 0 reflecting poor mobility and 12 reflecting a high level of mobility.

    Time frame: Days 2, 4 and 6 after inclusion during hospitalization

  2. Life space mobility

    By the Life Space Assessment-DK, which measure mobility and level of dependence in mobility. A score of 0-120 can be obtained, with 0 reflecting poor mobility and 120 reflecting high mobility

    Time frame: At inclusion and 4 and 8 weeks post discharge

  3. Self-reported pre-admission (2 weeks prior to admission) and post discharge mobility

    By the New Mobility Score, which assesses the ability to walk indoors and outdoors and the ability to go shopping. A score from 0-9 can be obtained, with 0 reflecting low mobility and 9 reflecting high mobility.

    Time frame: At inclusion and 1, 4 and 8 weeks post discharge

  4. Frailty pre-admission (2 weeks prior to admission)

    By the Clinical Frailty Scale, which is a clinical evaluation of the degree of frailty of a person. It is scored by health care professionals on a scale from 1 (very fit) to 9 (terminally ill)

    Time frame: At inclusion

  5. Cognitive status

    By the Orientation Memory Concentration Test, which is a screening of cognitive function. A score from 0 to 28 obtained, with lower scores reflecting poorer cognition (0-7: highly impaired; 8-17 points: moderately impaired; 18-24 points: mildly impaired; 25-28 points: no or insignificant impairment).

    Time frame: At inclusion

  6. Basic mobility

    By the Cummulated Ambulation Score, which assessed the ability of a person to get in and out of bed, sit to stand from a chair and walk. It is scored from 0 to 6 with 0 reflecting inability to perform the 3 activities and a score of 6 reflecting independence in the three activities.

    Time frame: At inclusion, day 2, 4 and 6 after inclusion during hospitalization and 8 weeks post discharge

  7. Gait speed

    By the 4-meter gait speed test. It assesses the patient's current gait speed on a 4-meter course. The test is scored in m/s.

    Time frame: At inclusion and 8 weeks post discharge

  8. Readmission

    Number of readmissions within 6 months post discharge

    Time frame: 6 month post discharge

  9. Handgrip strength

    Handgrip strength of the dominant hand assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Three attempts are performed, and the highest measured value is used for analysis.

    Time frame: At inclusion and 8 weeks post discharge

  10. Lower-extemity muscle strenght

    Assessed by Sit-to-stand test, as the number of times the participant can rise from and sit down on a chair during 30 seconds.

    Time frame: At inclusion and 8 weeks post discharge

  11. Concern about falling

    Concern about falling during activities of daily living assessed by the 7-item Short Falls Efficacy Scale (Short FES-I). Each item is scored from 1 to 4, giving a total score from 7 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater concern about falling.

    Time frame: At inclusion and 1, 4 and 8 weeks post discharge

06

Study locations

1 site
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — Due to Danish data protection legislation, individual participant data cannot be publicly shared. Access to pseudonymized data may be granted upon reasonable request and approval by the Danish Data Protection Agency.

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07830381
Lead sponsor
Hvidovre University Hospital
Collaborators
Department of Geriatric, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre
Responsible party
Lea Kromann Etzerodt (Principal Investigator (PhD scientist), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre) — Principal investigator
First posted
Sep 21, 2026
Start date
Sep 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Oct 2027 (estimated)
Completion
May 2029 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 21, 2026

Study contacts

Lea Kromann Etzerodt, MHSc
Contact
lea.kromann.johansen.01@regionh.dk
+4538620210
Mette Merete Pedersen, PhD
Contact
mette.merete.pedersen@regionh.dk
+4538623350
Lea Kromann Etzerodt, MHSc
principal investigator · Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion