Upright time during hospitalization for older inpatients: A prospective cohort study

• Published in: Experimental gerontology 2019-10, Vol.126, p.110681-110681, Article 110681
• Main Authors: Theou, Olga, Kehler, D. Scott, Godin, Judith, Mallery, Kayla, MacLean, Mark A., Rockwood, Kenneth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accelerometers; Aging; Hospital; Upright time
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.110681

The purpose of this study was to examine: a) how long and how frequently older hospitalized patients spend upright; b) whether duration and frequency of upright time change by time of the day, the day of the week, and during hospitalization; and c) whether these relationships differ based on the mobility level of patients at admission. This prospective cohort study included 111 patients (82.2 ± 8 years old, 52% female) from the Emergency Department and a Geriatric Assessment Unit who were at least 60 years old and had an anticipated length of stay of at least three days. The main outcomes were accelerometer-measured total upright time and number of bouts of upright time during awake hours. Patients were upright 15.9 times/day (interquartile range (IQR): 8.4–27.4) for a total of 54.2 min/day (IQR: 17.8–88.9) during awake hours. Time of day and day of week had little impact on the outcomes. Patients who walked independently at admission had 151.5 min (95% CI: 87.7–215.3) of upright time on hospital day 1 and experienced a decline of 4.5 min/day (−7.2 to −1.8). Those who needed personal mobility assistance or were bedridden had 29.5 min (−38.5–97.4) and 25 min (−48.3–100.3) of upright time on day 1, and demonstrated an increase of 3.6 (1.3–5.9) and 2.4 (0.05–4.5) min/day, respectively. Hospitalized older adults spend only 6% of their awake hours upright while in hospital. Patients who can walk independently are more active but experience a decline in their upright time during hospitalization. •Hospitalized older adults spend only 6% of their awake hours upright while in hospital.•Patients who can walk independently at admission are more active.•Patients who can walk independently experience a decline in their upright time.•Patients who need personal mobility assistance experience an increase in upright time.•Time of day or day of week have little impact on upright time while in hospital.