Early physiotherapy care in the frail hospitalised elders: prospective cohort study

Early physiotherapy care in the frail hospitalised elders: prospective cohort study

Authors

  • Emanuela Ricci Azienda Usl di Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d’Arda Hospital, Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC), Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Fiorenzuola d’Arda, Italy
  • Maria Marchini Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Fiorenzuola d’Arda, Italy
  • Gianfranco Lamberti Azienda Usl di Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d’Arda Hospital, Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC), Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Fiorenzuola d’Arda, Italy
  • Luca Zanlari Azienda Usl di Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d’Arda Hospital, Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC), Italy
  • Vittorio Casati Azienda Usl di Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d’Arda Hospital, Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC), Italy
  • Camilla Freghieri Azienda Usl di Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d’Arda Hospital, Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC), Italy
  • Angela Rusitano Azienda Usl di Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d’Arda Hospital, Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC), Italy
  • Gianluca Ciardi Azienda Usl di Piacenza, Fiorenzuola d’Arda Hospital, Fiorenzuola d’Arda (PC), Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Fiorenzuola d’Arda, Italy

Keywords:

frailty, elder, early physiotherapy, inpatient cares

Abstract

Background and aim: Frailty is an age-related condition, of increasing concern given ageing of world population. The aim of this work was the evaluation of early physiotherapy in frail patients admitted at Fiorenzuola d’Arda hospital.      

Methods: A prospective cohort study, with two recruitment intervals, was conducted. Patients older than 65 years, with a Barthel Index score of 70 or below, frailty and indication for physiotherapy were recruited. Barthel Index delta, length of hospitalisation, physiotherapy activation time were assessed as main outcome; sub-analyses were conducted according to the cause of hospitalisation. 

Results: 63 subjects were included in the study, and 5 were later excluded due to complications. Statistical analysis showed significance regarding hospitalisation length (p= 0.03), early activation of physiotherapy (p=0.002), delta Barthel (p=0.03). Sub-analyses showed significance for respiratory patients (p=0.04).

Conclusions: Early physiotherapy is effective to address frailty and improve self-efficacy, by enhancing elders’ residual resources. Future studies should integrate field test to deepen motor outcome. 

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Published

23-06-2025

Issue

Section

HEALTH PROFESSIONS

How to Cite

1.
Ricci E, Marchini M, Lamberti G, et al. Early physiotherapy care in the frail hospitalised elders: prospective cohort study. Acta Biomed. 2025;96(3):16642. doi:10.23750/abm.v96i3.16642