Opportunity

When patients are admitted to the hospital, they spend most of their time in bed or within their designated room. Research indicates that low physical activity during hospitalization can lead to functional decline, particularly in older adults.

Adequate physical activity after discharge can help protect against adverse outcomes.

Intervention

The MOVE IT trial tested if gamification strategies and social incentives could increase patient mobility after hospital discharge. Approximately 200 patients were enrolled from general medicine and oncology units and given a wearable device to track activity during their hospitalization.

Upon discharge, participants were randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention arm and given daily step goals. Participants in the control group received feedback from their wearable device and no other intervention. Participants in the intervention group participated in a 12-week game that assigned points and levels for achieving step goals and engaged a support partner to receive updates about patient progress.

Way to Health was used to track activity automatically and manage incentives.

Impact

Our intervention did not increase post-discharge mobility (daily steps) or reduce functional decline. However, analysis showed that MOVE IT could work for specific subgroups as patients with higher social engagement at baseline demonstrated increased mobility and decreased functional decline during the study.