Factors impeding physical activity in older hospitalised patients: A qualitative meta-synthesis

Older hospitalised patients have low levels of physical activity and multiple impairing factors.

To systematically evaluate the perceived barriers to physical activity among older patients during hospitalisation, and provide reference for future intervention programs.

Following ENTREQ, do a systematic evaluation and synthesis of qualitative investigations.

An exhaustive exploration was conducted across the CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from their inception until August, 2023 to identify qualitative research on obstacles to physical activity among older hospital patients. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool for qualitative research. Meta-synthesis method was used to integrate the results.

In total, 8 literatures were included, 43 themes were extracted, and analogous research results were amalgamated to generate 10 categories and 3 syntheses: individual level, interpersonal influencing factors and hospital environment and resources level.

Older inpatients are faced with multiple barriers to physical activity. Medical staff should pay attention to changes in physical activity during hospitalisation, identify barriers to physical activity in older inpatients and provide references for promoting physical activity programs for the older.

This study is a meta-synthesis and does not require relevant contributions from patients or the public.

Older patients are at low physical activity levels during hospitalisation. Older inpatients are faced with multiple barriers to physical activity.

Factors of physical activity impairment in hospitalised older patients should be considered in the context of health status, psychological factors, motivation and social support. Disease-induced psychological fallout has a greater impact on physical activity in the older.