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Updated: Nov 16, 2025
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Daytime activity and sleep are associated with motor function in older intensive care unit survivors
Maya N Elías1, Cindy L Munro2, Zhan Liang3
1Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, 5030 Brunson Drive, Ste 423, Coral Gables 33146, FL, United States.
Background:
Hospitalized older intensive care unit (ICU) survivors are often inactive and experience sleep disturbances.
Objective:
We explored associations between post-ICU activity, sleep/rest, and motor function among hospitalized older ICU survivors.
Methods:
We enrolled 30 older ICU survivors, ages 65 and older, within 24-48 h of ICU discharge. Actigraphy measured post-ICU activity and sleep/rest. Selected measures from the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Motor Battery assessed grip strength and dexterity. Multivariate regression examined associations between post-ICU activity, sleep/rest, and motor function, adjusting for covariates.
Results:
Lower daytime activity (β = 0.258, p = .035) and greater daytime sleep/rest (β = -0.295, p = .022) were associated with worse grip strength. Lower daytime activity (β = -0.376, p = .037) and greater daytime sleep/rest (β = 0.409, p = .026) were associated with worse dexterity.
Conclusion:
Post-ICU inactivity and prolonged rest periods are associated with worse motor function in hospitalized older ICU survivors.
