ROBot Assisted Physical Training of Older Patients During acUte hospitaliSaTion

Launched by ODENSE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Mar 21, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether robot-assisted physical training can help older patients maintain their ability to perform daily activities while they are in the hospital for acute illness. The study involves nearly 500 participants aged 65 and older who are expected to stay in the hospital for at least two days. To be eligible, patients need to be able to walk, even with some assistance, and should be able to communicate with the research team. However, those who can walk independently during their hospital stay or have certain medical conditions may not qualify.

Participants in this trial can expect to engage in training sessions with a robot designed to assist with physical activities. The researchers will evaluate how well this training helps prevent a decline in physical function, using simple tests to measure their ability to complete daily tasks. The study is currently recruiting participants, and those living in Funen, Denmark, are encouraged to consider joining. This trial aims to find new ways to support older patients during their hospital stays, helping them recover more effectively.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ≥65 years of age
• • Able to ambulate before hospitalisation (with/without assistance)
• • Able to communicate with the research team
• • Expected length of stay ≥2 days
• • Residing on Funen, Denmark
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Able to ambulate without assistance during current hospitalisation
• • Known severe dementia
• • Positive Confusion and Assessment Method score (20)
• • Patients who have received less than 3 training sessions at discharge
• • Terminal illness
• • Recent major surgery or lower extremity bone fracture in the last 3 months
• • Conditions contradicting use of ROBERT (unstable vertebral-, pelvic, or lower extremity fractures; high intracranial pressure; pressure ulcers or risk of developing pressure ulcers due to fragile skin; patients with medical instability)
• • Metastases at femur or hip
• • Deemed not suitable for mobilization sessions with the robot by the healthcare professional
• • If the patient weighs more than 165 kg (the robot cannot lift the leg if the patient is severely overweight)