Identifying Optimal Wearable Devices for Monitoring Mobility in Hospitalized Older Adults: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Validity Study.

Summary: When older adults stay in the hospital, spending too much time in bed can make them weak and lead to long-term disability. Doctors want to get them moving, but first, they need a good way to track their activity. Researchers tested four different fitness trackers on older hospital patients to see which one worked best. They found that a device called ActiGraph was the winner. Wearing it on the thigh was best for tracking sitting or lying down, while wearing it on the ankle was perfect for counting steps. Patients were happy to wear them, though some found them a bit uncomfortable over a full day. This is a great step toward keeping older patients active and healthy during hospital stays!