What is this study of assisted ambulation trying to find out about mobility limitation in older patients?

This study is evaluating whether supervised walking with mobility technicians improves health outcomes for hospitalized patients aged 65 and older. Researchers want to see if this approach helps patients move better, go home more often, and reduces hospital-related complications and costs. The Cleveland Clinic is leading this research to provide evidence for better care practices.

Who may be eligible for this mobility limitation clinical trial?

Adults aged 65 years or older admitted to a medical hospital service with a specific mobility score and Medicare insurance may be eligible. Patients should not have planned discharge within two days or medical conditions that prevent walking. This trial accepts all genders. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this mobility limitation clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the supervised walking and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal expenses like travel may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for any personal costs involved in attending study appointments.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 65Years +

All Genders

ID05725928

Randomized Study of Assisted Walking by Mobility Technicians to Improve Health and Mobility in Hospitalized Patients 65 and Older

Led by The Cleveland Clinic · Updated on 2026-06-08

3000

Participants Needed

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are conducting a randomized trial to study the effects of supervised walking, led by specially trained mobility technicians MTs, on hospitalized medical patients aged 65 and older. The study aims to compare health outcomes and costs between patients receiving this assisted ambulation and those receiving usual care. It also seeks to identify which patients benefit most and assess the financial impact of the intervention over the hospital stay and 30 days afterward. Patients enrolled in the trial will be randomly assigned to either receive usual care or to have mobility technicians help them walk up to three times daily, every day including weekends, during their hospital stay for up to 10 days. The MTs will visit patients multiple times a day to encourage and assist with walking based on individual mobility scores and physical therapy recommendations, if available. All participants will wear wrist accelerometers to track their movement throughout their hospital stay. Participants will be closely monitored with various assessments including the Short Physical Performance Battery SPPB to measure mobility at discharge or after 10 days, and additional follow-ups at 30 days post enrollment to assess physical function, frailty, hospital complications, readmissions, and daily living activities. Researchers will also evaluate total costs related to the hospital stay and 30 days afterward. The study lasts up to 30 days per participant with ongoing safety and outcome monitoring.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Assisted Ambulation to Improve Health Outcomes for Older Medical Inpatients

How This Trial Compares With Other Options

This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.

Factors	Mobility Technician–Assisted Ambulation	Usual Care (no mobility technician)
What is it?	Designated mobility technicians actively help patients walk up to three times daily, visiting up to four times per day for up to 10 days or until hospital discharge, using a protocol based on physical function score (6-Clicks) and any physical therapy instructions.	Usual care involves mobility support provided by the routine hospital team, which may include help with getting out of bed and walking as needed, but without a dedicated staff member assigned solely to assist ambulation up to three times daily.
Role in the study	Serves as the investigational strategy to test whether structured mobility assistance improves physical and health outcomes.	Represents the standard hospital mobility care pathway serving as the trial's control group.
Primary use / intended goal	To enhance mobility and prevent physical decline by offering frequent, structured ambulation opportunities.	To provide general mobility assistance as per each hospital's routine for older medical inpatients.
How is it given or performed?	A trained mobility technician visits the patient up to four times daily, aiming for three successful walking sessions per day, following a defined protocol based on function and therapy recommendations.	Mobility and transfers are supported as needed by nurses, physical therapists, or other hospital staff, without dedicated or structured walking sessions.
Evidence status	Currently under clinical investigation in this trial. Prior observational and nonrandomized studies suggest structured ambulation may improve mobility and reduce hospital-related decline, but robust randomized trial evidence is pending.	Well-established as routine practice but documented to often result in low mobility and increased risk for functional decline among hospitalized older adults.
Important limitations	Primary limitation is that effectiveness in reducing physical decline and improving post-hospital mobility compared to usual care is not yet proven in large randomized studies. Requires dedicated staffing and hospital resources.	Common limitations include inconsistent mobility support, staffing constraints, and high rates of inactivity among hospitalized older adults.

Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.

Who Can Participate

Age: 65Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

65 years of age or older
Admitted to a medical hospital service
Complete history and physical examination on file
6-Clicks mobility score between 16 and 23
Insurance with Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage

You will not qualify if you...

Significant language barrier requiring a translator (except Spanish at Baystate site)
Discharge planned for today or the following day
Observation status patients
Surgical procedure planned
Unstable angina or medical conditions preventing exercise/ambulation
Permanent residence in a skilled nursing facility
Comfort care measures only
More than 48 hours since hospital admission
Active COVID-19 infection
Other active infections requiring contact or droplet precautions
Ordered bedrest during hospitalization

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Duration - Up to 10 days or until hospital discharge

Participants receive supervised ambulation up to 3 times daily with a Mobility Technician during their hospital stay, up to a maximum of 10 days. Ambulation is based on participant mobility scores and recommendations from physical therapists when available.

Daily visits up to 10 days during hospitalization

Follow-up

Duration - 30 days post enrollment, with some outcomes tracked up to 6 months

Participants are monitored for health outcomes such as physical function, readmission, activities of daily living, frailty, and mortality for 30 days after enrollment. Costs and other health events are also tracked up to 6 months.

Follow-up assessments up to 30 days, with some data collected up to 6 months