Work

The feasibility of a set of physical resilience measurements in older patients admitted to the acute medical unit

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most patients admitted to the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) are 60 years and older, have several multimorbidities, and are frail. During the short AMU stay, it can be challenging to determine whether these patients can recover safely at home or require an extended hospital stay. Determining physical resilience could support clinicians in deciding between discharge or prolonged hospitalization, because recovery from an acute condition is strongly related to a person's resilience against deterioration. This research aims to evaluate the feasibility of two potential resilience measurements, sit-to-stand challenge (SSC) and grip work assessment (GWA), in acutely ill patients 60 years and older admitted to the AMU. METHODS: A two-centre feasibility pilot study including 50 patients 60 years and older admitted to the AMU, the Netherlands, was conducted. Participants completed 'The Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey Short Form' about their health-related quality of life and performed the SSC and GWA in the first 48 h of admission. Patient experience with these methods was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the participants, 46% could complete the SSC in 12 (median;q1-q3 = 10-13) minutes and 74% could complete the GWA in 5 (median;q1-q3 = 4-5) minutes. The majority of participants experienced the resilience measurements as doable and not burdensome. Significant barriers to perform measurements were a deteriorated patient condition and patients in isolation who could not be measured. CONCLUSION: Utilizing the GWA appeared feasible for older patients admitted to the AMU, whereas the SSC frequently presented difficulties due to clinical conditions and technical challenges.

Source: BMC Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-025-06252-6

Authors: K. D. J. Bos, J. A. H. R. Claassen, F. H. Bosch, C. J. M. Doggen, S. J. H. Bredie, R. J. F. Melis

Institutions: Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, Rijnstate Hospital, University of Twente

Language: English

Topic: Frailty in Older Adults

Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190