A physical therapy mobility checkup is feasible with annual wellness visits in primary care

Screening older adults for mobility disability and preclinical mobility limitation does not routinely occur.

This study aimed to: (1) determine the feasibility of implementing a preventive physical therapy mobility checkup in primary care and (2) determine if 1 mobility checkup shifts the self-efficacy of older adults for meeting activity recommendations.

A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted at 1 primary care clinic.

Participants (N = 80) were, on average, 73.4 years (range 65-92) and 61.3% female.

A 15-min mobility checkup consisted of (1) self-reported activity and mobility, (2) testing with the Short Physical Performance Battery, including gait speed and the 5 Times Sit to Stand Test; (3) education about results; and (4) recommendations.

Twelve feasibility criteria were established a priori and evaluated after study completion. The feasibility criteria evaluated acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, and feasibility of the mobility checkup. Shifts in the retrospective pre-post self-efficacy for exercise (SEE) surveys were evaluated descriptively.

Ten of 12 feasibility criteria were met. The total mean retrospective pre-SEE survey score was 6.39 (SD = 2.54) and the total mean post-SEE survey score was 7.61 (SD = 1.97). There were 62 positive shifts, 3 negative, and 14 unchanged with the retrospective pre-post SEE survey.

A mobility checkup in primary care is feasible and may increase the self-efficacy of older adults for meeting activity guidelines.

Routine physical therapy mobility checkups in primary care offer a promising strategy to optimize health outcomes for older adults.