Attendance of Physical and Occupational Therapists Improves Older Hospitalized Adults' Activity Levels

Aims We hypothesized that the additional attendance of physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapist (OTs) in clearly defined work assignments 1) increases the patients’ physical activity level, 2) broadens the patients’ environment by changing their location, 3) increases the time patients spend in the accompaniment of health professionals, and 4) changes the ongoing activity of patients.Methods This study utilized a time series design with regard to hospitalized adults 65 years of age and older. Observational behavioral mapping was used to assess the impact on the patients’ physical activity levels.ResultsThe study demonstrated that the additional attendance of PTs and OTs significantly increased the time the older adults’ spent sitting, standing/walking as compared to being bedridden. It also significantly increased the amount of time patients were accompanied by health professionals.Conclusions Additional attendance of PTs and OTs has a positive impact on older adults’ activity levels.