Training and provision of mobility aids to promote autonomy and mobility of older patients in a geriatric emergency department: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a walking aid training program, with or without telemonitoring, on fear of falling, mobility, quality of life, and fall risk in older adults treated in an emergency department.
Results Summary
The study will assess the impact of walking aid training and telemonitoring on mobility, fear of falling, and fall risk at 3 and 6 months post-intervention, but results are not yet available as it is a planned randomized controlled trial.
Population
Older adults cared for in a geriatric emergency department.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (training and provision of walking aids, with telemonitoring every two weeks for the first three months in one group).
Duration
Follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months post-discharge.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
walking aids | increase | mobility | - | - | can be used to improve | #1 |
walking aids | decrease | falls | - | - | can be used to prevent | #2 |
program of training and provision of walking aids (WA) | neutral | fear of falling | older adults cared for in an ED | - | evaluate the efficacy | #3 |
program of training and provision of walking aids (WA) | neutral | mobility | older adults cared for in an ED | - | evaluate the efficacy | #4 |
program of training and provision of walking aids (WA) | neutral | quality of life | older adults cared for in an ED | - | evaluate the efficacy | #5 |
program of training and provision of walking aids (WA) | neutral | risk of falls | older adults cared for in an ED | - | evaluate the efficacy | #6 |
walking aid and telemonitoring | neutral | training and provision of these devices in the ED | - | - | will evaluate the impact | #7 |
Older adults have higher rates of emergency department (ED) admissions when compared to their younger counterparts. Mobility is the ability to move around, but also encompasses the environment and the ability to adapt to it. Walking aids can be used to improve mobility and prevent falls. According to international guidelines, they must be available in Geriatric EDs. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a program of training and provision of walking aids (WA), associated or not with telemonitoring, on fear of falling, mobility, quality of life and risk of falls up to 3 and 6 months in older adults cared for in an ED. A randomized controlled trial will be carried out in the ED. Participants will be randomized and allocated into three groups, as follows: A) walking aid group will be trained for the use of a walking aid and receive guidance on safe gait; B) walking aid and telemonitoring group will receive training for the use of a walking aid, guidance on safe gait, and telemonitoring (every two weeks for first three months); C) Control group will receive only guidance on safe gait. Patients will undergo a baseline evaluation encompassing sociodemographic and clinical data, mobility in life spaces, gait speed, muscle strength, functionality, quality of life, fear of falling, history of falls, cognition and mood before the intervention. Gait time and fear of falling will be assessed again after the intervention in ED. Finally, mobility in life spaces, functionality, quality of life, fear of falling, history of falls, cognition, and mood will be assessed 3 and 6 months after discharge from the geriatric ED through a telephone interview. Provision of walking aids in the geriatric ED is currently recommended. This study will be the first randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the impact of training and provision of these devices in the ED. Trial registration number: NCT05950269.