Effect of Early Mobilisation on Functional Status in Hospitalised Older People: A Systematic Review Protocol

Population ageing has contributed to a progressive increase in hospital admissions among older people. Hospitalisation in this age group represents a period of heightened vulnerability, frequently associated with the development of functional decline, referred to as Hospital-Associated Disability (HAD), with prolonged immobility being one of its main modifiable factors. In this context, early mobilisation has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention with the potential to prevent functional decline, preserve or restore functional status, and promote the independence of older people during hospitalisation. However, the available evidence remains heterogeneous regarding the characteristics of the interventions and their effects on functional status, justifying the conduct of a systematic review to synthesise the best available evidence.