Recently, a group of physiotherapists in Brazil tackled this problem with a randomised trial. They tested wheter specific advice to remain active from a physiotherapist, given soon after admission, would combat the 'pyjama paralysis' that affects so many hospitalised older people.
The experimental group received a booklet with content about the deleterious effects of hospitalisation and the importance of staying active during hospitalisation. The control group received usual hospital care only.
Patients in the experimental group took an average of 974 more steps per day than those in the control group. They were also almost one-fifth as likely to lose mobility - which was defined as a reduction in the ability to move themselves in bed, in a chair, and in standing, as well as their static and dynamic balance.
The authors also followed up patients after their hospital admission to ask them about barriers to staying active during their hospital admission. The most commonly reported barriers to remaining active during hospitalisation were dyspnoea, lack of space, and fear of contracting infection.
Overall, this study’s results suggest that verbal advice and an illustrated booklet on the benefits of staying active during hospitalisation increased the level of physical activity, ultimately reflecting less loss of mobility in older patients hospitalised for clinical reasons.
> From: Moreno, J Physiother 65 (2019) 208-214 . All rights reserved to Elsevier Ltd. Click here for the online summary.
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