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Measuring Physical Activity in Hospital Settings: A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Christina L Ekegren1, Lane Meyer2, Michele Callisaya3
1Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
|March 24, 2025
Summary
This review highlights the wide variety of ways physical activity and sedentary behavior are measured in hospital trials for older adults. Standardized guidelines are urgently needed to improve data consistency and intervention effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Rehabilitation Medicine
- Clinical Trial Methodology
Background:
- Hospitalized middle-aged and older adults often experience reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior.
- Movement interventions aim to improve health outcomes in this population during inpatient stays.
- Understanding current measurement practices in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is crucial for effective intervention design and implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically identify physical activity and sedentary behavior outcomes measured in hospital-based RCTs.
- To document the measurement tools and protocols employed in these trials.
- To assess the data integrity of movement behavior measurements in this context.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2000 and 2023.
- Studies included adults aged 50 years or older admitted to acute or subacute hospital settings.
- Data extraction focused on movement behavior outcomes, measurement tools/devices, protocols, and data integrity.
Main Results:
- 34 RCTs were included, with most conducted in subacute rehabilitation settings.
- A wide array of 17 different movement behavior outcomes were measured, with step count being the most frequent.
- Wearable devices were commonly used (30 studies), but 43 unique tools showed significant heterogeneity in protocols.
Conclusions:
- Substantial heterogeneity exists in movement behavior outcomes, measurement tools, and protocols across hospital-based RCTs.
- There is an urgent need for evidence-based guidelines to standardize measurement practices.
- Standardization is essential for reliable synthesis of clinical trial findings and effective implementation of interventions.
