Environment in institutional care settings as a promoting factor for older individuals' mobility: A systematic review

Mobility is important for health and well-being; however, older individuals in institutional care settings are relatively sedentary. The environment has an increased influence on mobility in older age due to changes in individual functioning; thus, environmental mobility support solutions for this population are needed.

The aim of this systematic review was to identify elements of the environment that have been used in the content and delivery of interventions to promote mobility and to assess the effects of these interventions on mobility outcomes.

A systematic literature search was conducted using CINAHL and MEDLINE from the earliest date through 30 September 2020 for randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental and pre-post design studies. Inclusion and critical appraisal of articles were conducted by two independent researchers. Data were extracted and synthesised.

Studies were included if they had employed some element of the environment in the content and/or delivery of the intervention and had assessed mobility-related outcomes of older individuals in institutional long-term care settings providing full-time care.

Studies were included if they reported data on mobility-related outcomes including aspects of physical activity, physical function, life space and functional autonomy.

Eight studies were included. Physical, social and symbolic elements of the environment were utilised in the interventions. Positive effects on mobility outcomes were reported in exercise interventions utilising environmental elements mostly as supportive components.

Empirical evidence about effective mobility interventions employing elements of the environment as main intervention components is lacking. A serious dilemma exists about the need for older individuals' independence and mobile/active late life and the lack of support for such initiatives in long-term care. Given the emphasised relationship of the environment and mobility with age due to changes in functioning, environmental solutions require further examination.