Actively Recruiting
Assessing a New Tool to Assess Frailty in Frail Hospitalized Elderly
Led by University of British Columbia · Updated on 2026-05-01
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to establish daily step counts as a simple and low-cost way to measure frailty and muscle loss in hospitalized older adults. The study focuses on frail elderly patients admitted to an acute care unit to better understand their physical activity and health status. Participants will wear a special device called ActivPAL on their dominant thigh, which tracks their movements such as lying, sitting, standing, and stepping. At enrollment, various measurements will be taken, including blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, muscle ultrasound, grip strength, walking speed, body composition, and skinfold thickness. The ActivPAL device will be removed at discharge. The total time for study procedures ranges from 2 to 3 hours at enrollment and about 10 minutes at discharge. Researchers will collect demographic and medical information, monitor physical activity with the device, and perform several physical tests to assess frailty. The main outcome measured is total standing time over up to two weeks, with daily step counts as a secondary outcome. Participants' health and activity will be closely monitored during their hospital stay.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Assessing a New Tool to Assess Frailty in Frail Hospitalized Elderly
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Be admitted in an acute care unit
You will not qualify if you...
- Be less than 65 years of age
- Be nonambulatory
- Have end-stage organ failure such as end-stage COPD, kidney failure requiring dialysis, or end-stage heart failure
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person) at admission
Duration - Up to 2 weeks or shorter
Participants wear a special device called ActivPAL on their mid-thigh to capture lying, sitting, standing, and stepping activities while other measurements such as blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, muscle ultrasound, grip strength, and gait speed are collected.
Device fitted at admission and removed at discharge; assessments during hospital stay
Duration - Up to 2 weeks or shorter
Investigators observe participants' physical activity through the ActivPAL device until hospital discharge.
Device removal visit at discharge
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Gerontology Research Lab, Dept. of Medicine, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, VGH Research Pavilion, Room 186-828 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 1M9
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Boris Feldman
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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