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In 2019, the Society for Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERAS-CS) published perioperative guidelines to optimize the care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. For centers with limited capacity, a sequential approach to the implementation of the full guidelines may be more feasible. Therefore, we aimed to explore the priority of implementation of the ERAS-CS guideline recommendations from a patient and caregiver perspective.Using a modified nominal group technique, individuals who previously underwent cardiac surgery and their caregivers ranked ERAS-CS recommendations within 3 time points (ie, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative) and across 2 to 3 voting rounds. Final round rankings (median, mean and first quartile) were used to determine relative priorities.Seven individuals (5 patients and 2 caregivers) participated in the study. Patient engagement tools (2, 2.29, and 1.50), surgical site infection reduction (2, 1.67, and 1.25), and postoperative systematic delirium screening (1, 2.43, and 1.00) were the top-ranked ERAS-CS recommendations in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative time points, respectively.Exploration of patient and caregiver priorities may provide important insights to guide the healthcare team with clinical pathway development and implementation. Further study is needed to understand the impact of the integration of patient and caregiver values on effective and sustainable clinical pathway implementation.

At present, there is a lack of information on patient and caregiver values, and perceived priorities and barriers, to guide successful post-discharge recovery. This was a single center, multiple methods study that investigated patient, caregiver, and health care provider perceptions of the discharge process after cardiac surgery. Themes emerging from focus group discussions with patients and caregivers were used to develop surveys relating to values, barriers, and challenges relating to the discharge process. Thirty-two patients (n = 16) and caregivers (n = 16) participated in four separate focus groups. Four themes emerged from these discussions: (1) a lack of understanding about what the discharge process entails and when discharge is appropriate, (2) issues relating to the information provided to patients at the time of discharge, (3) participant experiences with the health care system, and (4) the experiences of caregivers. Seventy-eight patients, 34 caregivers, 53 nurses and/or other allied health professionals, and 8 surgeons completed the cross-sectional surveys. The most important component of the discharge process for patients and caregivers was "knowing what to do in an emergency." Health care providers less accurately identified what caregivers perceived as the most important aspects of the discharge process.Statements relating to informational barriers to discharge were the most discordant among patient and caregiver respondents. After discharge, patients and caregivers identified the need for longer-term follow up with the surgeon and more support in the community. Incorporation of patient and caregiver values to guide the post-cardiac surgery discharge process is essential to promote successful recovery.

Scoping reviews of health research are increasing in popularity. However, only a minority of scoping reviews in this sector engage patients and caregivers as co-producers of the research. Despite developments in scoping review methodology, which insist that stakeholder consultation is essential, no guiding methods exist to instruct the conduct of this stage. Thus, it is necessary to understand how patients and caregivers have been engaged as part of scoping reviews, toward a unifying methodology.We have developed a protocol for a scoping review of methods used to engage patients and caregivers in scoping reviews of health research. The search strategy will comprise two phases: the first will involve a secondary analysis of retrieved articles from a prior scoping review, and the second will identify articles that cite Levac et al.'s update to the original scoping review framework by Arksey and O'Malley. Titles and full texts of retrieved articles will be screened in duplicate. Inclusion will be limited to articles related to heath research that follow the six-stage scoping review framework by Arksey and O'Malley and that report patient engagement activities during at least one stage. The method of analysis of charted variables will be decided once data have been collected. Two patients will be engaged as collaborators throughout this review. We will also consult with patients, caregivers, and researchers upon completion of preliminary analyses.We anticipate that our scoping review will provide guidance for researchers seeking to involve health care stakeholders as co-producers of scoping reviews.A “scoping review” is a type of study that collects and summarizes published and unpublished research reports to better understand the amount and types of information available on a particular topic. There is a well-known framework for how to conduct a scoping review, which involves six stages. The sixth stage is optional, and involves consulting with people who have an interest in the research results (i.e., people who the research is “about” or who it will affect the most). Very few scoping reviews actually include this stage, potentially due to a lack of practical guidance on how to perform it. For scoping reviews related to health research, it is important to consult or more widely engage patients and caregivers in the scoping review’s conduct because these individuals have a unique type of knowledge that comes from their experience of a health issue, which can yield valuable insights. Therefore, we have designed a scoping review that will identify the ways in which patients and caregivers have been engaged in scoping reviews of health research in the past. We hope to produce recommendations to make it easier for other researchers to engage patients and caregivers in scoping reviews.

Background Cardiac surgery is becoming increasingly common in older, more vulnerable adults. A focus on timely and complete medical and functional recovery has led to the development of enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) for a number of surgical procedures and subspecialties, including cardiac surgery (ERAS® Cardiac). An element that is often overlooked in the development and implementation of ERPs is the involvement of key stakeholder groups, including surgery patients and caregivers (e.g., family and/or friends). The aim of this study is to describe a protocol for a scoping review of cardiac patient and caregiver preferences and outcomes relevant to cardiac surgery ERPs. Methods Using Arksey and O’Malley’s et al six-stage framework for scoping review methodologies with adaptions from Levac et al. (Represent Interv: 1–18, 2012), a scoping review of existing literature describing patient- and caregiver-identified preferences and outcomes as they relate to care received in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery will be undertaken. The search for relevant articles will be conducted using electronic databases (i.e., the Cochrane Library, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Embase), as well as through a search of the grey literature (e.g., CPG Infobase, Heart and Stroke Foundation, ProQuest Theses and Dissertations, Google Advanced, and Prospero). Published and unpublished full-text articles written in English, published after the year 2000, and that relate to the research question will be included. Central to the design of this scoping review is our collaboration with two patient partners who possess lived experience as cardiac surgery patients. Discussion This review will identify strategies that can be integrated into ERPs for cardiac surgery which align with patient- and caregiver-defined values. Broadly, it is our goal to demonstrate the added value of patient engagement in research to aid in the success of system change processes.

Objectives: We explored associations between co-habiting partners for sedentary behavior (type and time, via accelerometry and self-report), gender, and a surrogate health measure (inflammatory biomarker: C-reactive protein, CRP). Methods: Participants completed activity questionnaires and the Timed Up and Go (mobility), wore an accelerometer for 7 days, and provided samples for high-sensitivity (hs) CRP. We used multilevel modeling (partners within couples) to investigate associations between independent variables and (a) sedentary behavior and (b) hsCRP. Results: 112 couples (50% women) provided sedentary data and hsCRP. Sedentary behavior was significantly correlated ( r = .440, p < .001) between women and men, but there were significant differences in sedentary time (women < men) and light activity (women > men). Gender, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and mobility estimated 37% of the modeled variance in sedentary time, while body mass index (BMI) and MVPA estimated 10% of the modeled variance in hsCRP. Discussion: Despite differences in how activity was accumulated, there were no significant differences between women’s and men’s health biomarker.

IntroductionIn the past 20 years, the increasing burden of heart disease in an ageing population has resulted in cardiac surgery (CS) being offered to more frail and older patients with multiple comorbidities. Frailty and malnutrition are key geriatric syndromes that impact postoperative outcomes, including morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospital length of stay. Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs), such as prehabilitation, have been associated with a reduction in complications after CS in vulnerable patients. The use of nutritional ERPs may enhance short-term and long-term recovery and mitigate frailty progression while improving patient-reported outcomes.Methods and analysisThis trial is a two-centre, double-blinded, placebo, randomised controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment and intention-to-treat analysis. One-hundred and fifty CS patients will be randomised to receive either a leucine-rich protein supplement or a placebo with no supplemented protein. Patients will consume their assigned supplement two times per day for approximately 2 weeks pre-procedure, during in-hospital postoperative recovery and for 8 weeks following discharge. The primary outcome will be the Short Physical Performance Battery score. Data collection will occur at four time points including baseline, in-hospital (pre-discharge), 2-month and 6-month time points post-surgery.Ethics and disseminationThe University of Manitoba Biomedical Research Ethics Board (20 March 2018) and the St Boniface Hospital Research Review Committee (28 June 2019) approved the trial protocol for the primary site in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The second site’s (Montreal, Quebec) ethics has been submitted and pending approval from the Research Ethics and New Technology Development Committee for the Montreal Heart Institute (December 2020). Recruitment for the primary site started February 2020 and the second site will begin January 2021. Data gathered from the PROTein to Enhance outComes of (pre)frail paTients undergoing Cardiac Surgery Study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Knowledge translation strategies will be created to share findings with stakeholders who are positioned to implement evidence-informed change.Potential study impactMalnutrition and frailty play a crucial role in post-CS recovery. Nutritional ERPs are increasingly being recognised as a clinically relevant aspect of perioperative care. As such, this trial is to determine if leucine-rich protein supplementation at key intervals can mitigate frailty progression and facilitate enhanced postoperative recovery.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04038294).

Background Despite the importance of their perspectives, end users (eg, patients, caregivers) are not typically engaged by academic researchers in the development of mobile health (mHealth) apps for perioperative cardiac surgery settings. Objective The aim of this study was to describe a process for and the impact of patient engagement in the development of an mHealth app that supports patient and caregiver involvement with enhanced recovery protocols during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery. Methods Engagement occurred at the level of consultation and took the form of an advisory panel. Patients who underwent cardiac surgery (2017-2018) at St. Boniface Hospital (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and their caregivers were approached for participation. A qualitative exploration determined the impact of patient engagement on the development (ie, design and content) of the mHealth app. This included a description of (1) the key messages generated by the advisory panel, (2) how key messages were incorporated into the development of the mHealth app, and (3) feedback from the developers of the mHealth app about the key messages generated by the advisory panel. Results The advisory panel (N=10) generated 23 key messages to guide the development of the mHealth app. Key design-specific messages (n=7) centered around access, tracking, synchronization, and reminders. Key content-specific messages (n=16) centered around medical terms, professional roles, cardiac surgery procedures and recovery, educational videos, travel, nutrition, medications, resources, and physical activity. This information was directly incorporated into the design of the mHealth app as long as it was supported by the existing functionalities of the underlying platform. For example, the platform did not support the scheduling of reminders by users, identifying drug interactions, or synchronizing with other devices. The developers of the mHealth app noted that key messages resulted in the integration of a vast range and volume of information and resources instead of ones primarily focused on surgical information, content geared toward expectations management, and an expanded focus to include caregivers and other family members, so that these stakeholders may be directly included in the provision of information, allowing them to be better informed, prepare along with the patient, and be involved in recovery planning. Conclusions Patient engagement may facilitate the development of a detail-oriented and patient-centered mHealth app whose design and content are driven by the lived experiences of end users.

BACKGROUND Despite the importance of their perspectives, end users (eg, patients, caregivers) are not typically engaged by academic researchers in the development of mobile health (mHealth) apps for perioperative cardiac surgery settings. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe a process for and the impact of patient engagement in the development of an mHealth app that supports patient and caregiver involvement with enhanced recovery protocols during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery. METHODS Engagement occurred at the level of consultation and took the form of an advisory panel. Patients who underwent cardiac surgery (2017-2018) at St. Boniface Hospital (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and their caregivers were approached for participation. A qualitative exploration determined the impact of patient engagement on the development (ie, design and content) of the mHealth app. This included a description of (1) the key messages generated by the advisory panel, (2) how key messages were incorporated into the development of the mHealth app, and (3) feedback from the developers of the mHealth app about the key messages generated by the advisory panel. RESULTS The advisory panel (N=10) generated 23 key messages to guide the development of the mHealth app. Key design-specific messages (n=7) centered around access, tracking, synchronization, and reminders. Key content-specific messages (n=16) centered around medical terms, professional roles, cardiac surgery procedures and recovery, educational videos, travel, nutrition, medications, resources, and physical activity. This information was directly incorporated into the design of the mHealth app as long as it was supported by the existing functionalities of the underlying platform. For example, the platform did not support the scheduling of reminders by users, identifying drug interactions, or synchronizing with other devices. The developers of the mHealth app noted that key messages resulted in the integration of a vast range and volume of information and resources instead of ones primarily focused on surgical information, content geared toward expectations management, and an expanded focus to include caregivers and other family members, so that these stakeholders may be directly included in the provision of information, allowing them to be better informed, prepare along with the patient, and be involved in recovery planning. CONCLUSIONS Patient engagement may facilitate the development of a detail-oriented and patient-centered mHealth app whose design and content are driven by the lived experiences of end users.

ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to describe the impact of patient engagement on the initial design and content of a mobile health (mHealth) technology that supports enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) for cardiac surgery.MethodsEngagement occurred at the level of consultation and took the form of an advisory panel. Patients that underwent cardiac surgery (2017-2018) at St. Boniface Hospital (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and consented to be contacted about future research, and their caregivers, were approached for participation. A qualitative exploration was undertaken to determine advisory panel members’ key messages about, and the impact of, patient engagement on mHealth technology design and content.ResultsTen individuals participated in the advisory panel. Key design-specific messages centered around access, tracking, synchronization, and reminders. Key content-specific messages centered around roles of cardiac surgery team members and medical terms, educational videos, information regarding cardiac surgery procedures, travel before/after surgery, nutrition (i.e., what to eat), medications (i.e., drug interactions), resources (i.e., medical devices), and physical activity (i.e., addressing fears and providing information, recommendations, and instructions). These key messages were a rich source of information for mHealth technology developers and were incorporated as supported by the existing capabilities of the underlying technology platform.ConclusionsPatient engagement facilitated the development of a mHealth technology whose design and content were driven by the lived experiences of cardiac surgery patients and caregivers. The result was a detail-oriented and patient-centered mHealth technology that helps to empower and inform patients and their caregivers about the patient journey across the perioperative period of cardiac surgery.KEY QUESTIONSWhat is already known about this subject?Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) have been proposed as a clinical strategy to effectively address complex and multi-system vulnerabilities, like those commonly present in older adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have the potential to improve delivery and patient experience with ERPs, but their development in the academic research setting is often limited by a lack of end-user (e.g., i.e., patient and caregiver) involvement.What does this study add?To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to engage patients and caregivers in the development of a mHealth technology that supports ERPs for cardiac surgery. This study describes a process for engaging patients and caregivers as “co-producers” of a mHealth technology to support delivery of ERPs during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery. It also demonstrates that engaging patients and caregivers in research, through the formation of an advisory panel, yields a rich source of information to guide the design and content of mHealth technologies in cardiac research.How might this impact on clinical practice?In an era in which mHealth technologies are being increasingly looked to for the optimization of healthcare delivery, this study underscores the utility of using patient and caregiver voices to drive the development of patient-centered mHealth technologies to support clinical practice.

The importance and value of engaging patients and the public as co-researchers (i.e., “patient engagement in research”) is becoming more evident, and guiding methods must be available for researchers conducting their work at different points along the engagement spectrum. This article provides a virtual workshop model for integrating patient and public stakeholder perspectives in data analysis and interpretation. The model is based upon a critical reflection on the methods that underlaid the consultation stage of our scoping review on patient and caregiver preferences for cardiac surgery. It involves four virtual workshop sessions held on separate days, each achieving the unique goals of (a) establishing participants’ technological literacy within the virtual platform, (b) obtaining responses to the research question, (c) introducing participant perspectives into research analysis and interpretation, and (d) prioritizing research findings or future research agendas. Further, a description of the considerations related to virtual engagement, including those pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion; features of the virtual platform; and roles for the research team are provided. This paper contributes toward a methodological toolkit for patient engagement in research, especially as an adjunct to research with otherwise minimal patient engagement. It also adds to the emerging literature on practical approaches to patient engagement in research as more engagement is occurring virtually.

Background: Musculoskeletal trauma at midlife and beyond imposes significant impact on function and quality of life: Rehabilitation is key to support early and sustained recovery. There are frequent barriers to attending in-person rehabilitation that may be overcome by the recent advances in technology (telerehabilitation). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of published evidence on telerehabilitation as a delivery mode for adults and older adults with musculoskeletal trauma. Methods: We followed established guidelines for conducting and reporting systematic reviews. We searched the following databases up to June 23, 2018: Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE (Ovid and PubMed), PsycINFO, and SportDiscus. We included publications across all available years and languages for community-dwelling adults (50 years and older) with musculoskeletal trauma; and interventions using the following delivery modes: Apps, computer, telephone, videophone, videoconference, webcam, webpage, or similar media. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria: Five studies for hip fracture (n = 260) and one study for proximal humeral fracture rehabilitation (n = 17). Four of the studies used telephone as the delivery mode, one used computer and another used video-conferencing. Two of the studies were pre-post with no comparator group, and the remaining four studies were randomized controlled trials with low or unclear risk of bias. Studies established some modes of remote delivery as feasible, but the generalizability of the findings were limited. Two studies observed significant between-group differences (favoring the intervention) for physical activity, quality of life, and self-efficacy. Conclusion: Very few studies exist that tested the effect of telerehabilitation for recovery after musculoskeletal trauma later in life. Given the global burden imposed by musculoskeletal trauma, this review underscores an important gap in clinical knowledge.

SummaryThe extent of Canadian provincial variation in hip fracture surgical timing is unclear. Provinces performed a similar proportion of surgeries within three inpatient days after adjustment. Time to surgery varied by timing of admission across provinces. This may reflect different approaches to providing access to hip fracture surgery.IntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare whether time to surgery after hip fracture varies across Canadian provinces for surgically fit patients and their subgroups defined by timing of admission.MethodsWe retrieved hospitalization records for 140,235 patients 65 years and older, treated surgically for hip fracture between 2004 and 2012 in Canada (excluding Quebec). We studied the proportion of surgeries on admission day and within 3 inpatient days, and times required for 33%, 66%, and 90% of surgeries across provinces and by subgroups defined by timing of admission. Differences were adjusted for patient, injury, and care characteristics.ResultsOverall, provinces performed similar proportions of surgeries within the recommended three inpatient days, with all provinces requiring one additional day to perform the recommended 90% of surgeries. Prince Edward Island performed 7.0% more surgeries on admission day than Ontario irrespective of timing of admission (difference = 7.0; 95% CI 4.0, 9.9). The proportion of surgeries on admission day was 6.3% lower in Manitoba (difference = − 6.3; 95% CI − 12.1, − 0.6), and 7.7% lower in Saskatchewan (difference = − 7.7; 95% CI − 12.7, − 2.8) compared to Ontario. These differences persisted for late weekday and weekend admissions. The time required for 33%, 66%, and 90% of surgeries ranged from 1 to 2, 2–3, and 3–4 days, respectively, across provinces by timing of admission.ConclusionsProvinces performed similarly with respect to recommended time for hip fracture surgery. The proportion of surgeries on admission day, and time required to complete 33% and 66% of surgeries, varied across provinces and by timing of admission. This may reflect different provincial approaches to providing access to hip fracture surgery.

Plain English summary Patient engagement in research is an emerging approach that involves active and meaningful collaboration between researchers and patients throughout all phases of a project, including planning, data collection and analysis, and sharing of findings. To better understand the core features (elements) that underlie patient engagement, it is useful to have a look at models and frameworks that guide its conduct. Therefore, this manuscript aims to present a protocol for a scoping review of models and frameworks of patient engagement in health services research. Methods: Our protocol design is based on an established framework for conducting scoping reviews. We will identify relevant models and frameworks through systematic searches of electronic databases, websites, reference lists of included articles, and correspondence with colleagues and experts. We will include published and unpublished articles that present models and frameworks of patient engagement in health services research and exclude those not in English or unavailable as full texts. Two reviewers will independently review abstracts and full texts of identified articles for inclusion and extract relevant data; a third reviewer will resolve discrepancies. Our primary objective is to count and describe elements of patient engagement that overlap (present in 2 or more) and diverge among included models and frameworks. Discussion: We hope this review will raise awareness of existing models and frameworks of patient engagement in health services research. Further, by identifying elements that overlap and diverge between models and frameworks, this review will contribute to a clearer understanding of what patient engagement in research is and/or could be. Abstract Background: Patients can bring an expert voice to healthcare research through their lived experience of receiving healthcare services. Patient engagement in research is an emerging approach that challenges researchers to acknowledge and utilize this expertise through meaningful and active collaboration with patients throughout the research process. In order to facilitate a clearer understanding of the core elements that underlie patient engagement, it is useful to examine existing models and frameworks that guide its conduct. Therefore, the aim of this manuscript is to present a protocol for a scoping review of models and frameworks of patient engagement in health services research. Methods: Drawing on Arksey and O’Malley’s and Levac et al.’s framework for scoping reviews, we designed our protocol to identify relevant a) published articles through systematic searches of 7 electronic databases and snowball sampling and b) unpublished articles through systematic searches of databases and websites and snowball sampling. We will include published and unpublished models and frameworks of patient engagement in health services research and exclude those not in English or unavailable as full texts. Two reviewers will independently screen the abstracts and full texts of identified articles for inclusion and extract relevant data; a third reviewer will resolve disagreements. We will conduct a descriptive analysis of the characteristics (i.e., elements underlying patient engagement and those related to the study authors, publication, and model/framework) of included articles and a narrative analysis of the data concerning elements of the model or framework. Our primary objective is to count and describe elements of patient engagement that overlap (present in ≥ 2) and diverge (present in

Given the aging demographic landscape, the concept of walkable neighborhoods has emerged as a topic of interest, especially during the last decade. However, we know very little about whether walkable neighborhoods promote walking among older adults, particularly those with lower incomes. Therefore in this paper we: (i) examine the relation between trip distance and sociodemographic attributes and accessibility features of lower income older adults in Metro Vancouver; and, (ii) implement a web-based application to calculate the accessibility of lower income older adults in Metro Vancouver based on their travel behavior. We use multilevel linear regression to estimate the determinants of trip length. We find that in this population distance traveled is associated with gender, living arrangements, and dog ownership. Furthermore, significant geographical variations (measured using a trend surface) were also found. To better visualize the impact of travel behavior on accessibility by personal profile and location, we also implemented a web-based calculator that generates an Accessibility (A)-score using Google Maps API v3 that can be used to evaluate the accessibility of neighborhoods from the perspective of older adults.

Nous offrons une description en profondeur de la mobilite des personnes âgees (activite physique et comportement de voyage) de faible statut socioeconomique vivant dans les communautes. Les participants (n = 161, âge moyen [intervalle] = 74 [65-96] ans) ont rempli des questionnaires administres par les enqueteurs et ont participe a des mesures objectives de la mobilite. En general, nos resultats n'ont pas indique que les personnes âgees de faible statut socioeconomique ont une capacite reduite d'etre mobiles. Les participants, malgre un desavantage economique, ont presente des profils positifs, physiques, psychosociaux et lies a leur environnement social, qui influencent tous la capacite d'etre mobiles. Ils ont egalement entrepris une grande proportion des deplacements a pied, bien que ceux-ci ne l'ont pas, pris ensemble, repondu aux directives physiques pour la plupart d'entre eux. Nous incitons les futurs chercheurs a mettre l'accent sur des strategies novatrices de recrutement de cette population, difficilement accessible, afin de prendre en compte l'influence du statut socio-economique sur la duree de vie, ainsi que le role des facteurs lies au comportement lors de l'etude des relations entre une personne, son environnement et la mobilite des aines. ABSTRACT: We provide an in-depth description of the mobility (capacity and enacted function, i.e., physical activity and travel behaviour) of community-dwelling older adults of low socioeconomic status. Participants [ n = 161, mean age (range) = 74 (65-96) years] completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and objective measures of mobility. Our findings did not generally indicate that older adults of low socioeconomic status have a reduced capacity to be mobile. Participants presented with positive profiles across physical, psychosocial, and social environment domains that influence the capacity to be mobile. They also made a high proportion of trips by foot, although these did not together serve to meet physical activity guidelines for most. We challenge future researchers to focus on innovative strategies to recruit this difficult-to-access population, to consider the influence of socioeconomic status across the lifespan, and the role of behaviour-driven agency when investigating the association between the person, environment, and older adult mobility.

Background: Walking, and in particular, outdoor walking, is the most common form of physical activity for older adults. To date, no study investigated the association between the neighborhood built environment and physical activity habits of older adults of low SES. Thus, our overarching aim was to examine the association between the neighborhood built environment and the spectrum of physical activity and walking for transportation in older adults of low socioeconomic status. Methods: Cross-sectional data were from the Walk the Talk Study, collected in 2012. Participants (n = 161, mean age = 74 years) were in receipt of a rental subsidy for low income individuals and resided in neighbourhoods across Metro Vancouver, Canada. We used the Street Smart Walk Score to objectively characterize the built environment main effect (walkability), accelerometry for objective physical activity, and the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire to measure walking for transportation. We used regression analyses to examine associations of objectively measured physical activity [total volume, light intensity and moderate intensity physical activity (MVPA)] and self-reported walking for transportation (any, frequency, duration) with walkability. We adjusted analyses for person- and environment-level factors associated with older adult physical activity. Results: Neighbourhood walkability was not associated with physical activity volume or intensity and self-reported walking for transportation, with one exception. Each 10-point increase in Street Smart Walk Score was associated with a 45% greater odds of any walking for transportation (compared with none; OR = 1.45, 95% confidence interval = 1.18, 1.78). Sociodemographic, physical function and attitudinal factors were significant predictors of physical activity across our models. Conclusions: The lack of associations between most of the explored outcomes may be due to the complexity of the relation between the person and environment. Given that this is the first study to explore these associations specifically in older adults living on low income, this study should be replicated in other settings.

We used Bland Altman plots to compare agreement between a self-report diary and five different non-wear time algorithms [an algorithm that uses ≥60 min of consecutive zeroes (Troiano) and four variations of an algorithm that uses ≥90 min of consecutive zeroes to define a non-wear period] for estimating community-dwelling older adults’ (n = 106) sedentary behaviour and wear time (min/day) as measured by accelerometry. We found that the Troiano algorithm may overestimate sedentary behaviour and wear time by ≥30 min/day. Algorithms that use ≥90 min of continuous zeroes more closely approximate participants’ sedentary behaviour and wear time. Across the self-report diary vs. ≥90 min algorithm comparisons, mean differences ranged between −4.4 to 8.1 min/day for estimates of sedentary behaviour and between −10.8 to 1.0 min/day for estimates of wear time; all 95% confidence intervals for mean differences crossed zero. We also found that 95% limits of agreement were wide for all comparisons, highlighting the large variation in estimates of sedentary behaviour and wear time. Given the importance of reducing sedentary behaviour and encouraging physical activity for older adult health, we conclude that it is critical to establish accurate approaches for measurement.

BACKGROUND: Several patient and health system factors were associated with the risk of death among patients with hip fracture. However, without knowledge of underlying mechanisms interventions to improve survival post hip fracture can only be designed on the basis of the found statistical associations.METHODS: We used the framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley and Levac et al. for synthesis of factors and mechanisms of mortality post low energy hip fracture in adults over the age of 50 years, published in English, between September 1, 2009 and October 1, 2014 and indexed in MEDLINE. Proposed mechanisms for reported associations were extracted from the discussion sections.RESULTS: We synthesized the evidence from 56 articles that reported on 35 patient and 9 system factors of mortality post hip fracture. For 21 factors we found proposed biological mechanisms for their association with mortality which included complications, comorbidity, cardiorespiratory function, immune function, bone remodeling and glycemic control.CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patient and system factors of mortality post hip fracture were reported by only one or two articles and with no proposed mechanisms for their effects on mortality. Where reported, underlying mechanisms are often based on a single article and should be confirmed with further study. Therefore, one cannot be certain whether intervening on such factors may produce expected results.

Osteoarthritis (OA) and hip fracture are two common musculoskeletal disorders associated with substantial societal and personal burden. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the association between hip or knee OA and risk of hip fractures in people aged 45 years and older as compared to people aged 45 years and older who do not have OA. We searched CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, OVID Medline, PUBMED, and SCOPUS for studies published up to July 2010 and conducted forward searches of included studies using Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Eleven articles were included. Three investigated individuals with knee OA, two included adults with knee or hip OA, and six investigated adults with hip OA. We did not combine the hip OA or the knee OA studies in a meta-analysis due to the heterogeneity in: study populations and covariates adjusted for in estimates of association. Hip OA may be related to a decreased risk of hip fracture when considering crude estimates of association or estimates of association adjusted for a limited number of covariates, although not all studies found support for the presence of this association. The association between knee OA and hip fracture remains unclear. The presence of OA in the hip or knee should not act as an indication that assessment for hip fracture risk is unnecessary.

Background: The objective of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers to the adoption of self-monitoring devices in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Individuals with T2DM who were currently using one or more devices to monitor their disease participated in focus groups. Transcripts of focus group meetings were coded into themes by two reviewers using NVivo qualitative software. Results: Twenty-eight adults with T2DM reported using a blood glucose meter, and almost half reported monitoring their blood pressure. Few individuals consistently monitored other aspects of their cardiovascular health. Four major themes impacting device use/disuse were identified: Knowledge gaps, relationships with health care providers, environment, and personal experience. Knowledge barriers included lack of information regarding diabetes and the associated risk of complications. Perceptions of inconvenience, pain, and financial restrictions were important factors influencing the adoption, use, and abandonment of self-monitoring devices. Community-run programs, as well as dieticians and pharmacists, were identified as important resources for accessing information related to T2DM. Conclusions: We identified the need for development of accessible and relevant education material; improved communication of disease-specific information between patients and providers, as well as providers and community resources; and strategies to improve the convenience and cost of monitoring devices.

The positive effect of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases and age-related disabilities, such as mobility-disability, are widely accepted. Mobility is broadly defined as the ability of individuals to move themselves within community environments. These two concepts -physical activity and mobility - are closely linked and together contribute to older adults living healthy, independent lives. Neighborhood destinations may encourage mobility, as older adults typically leave their homes to travel to specific destinations. Thus, neighborhoods with a high prevalence of destinations may provide older adults an attractive opportunity to walk, instead of drive, and thereby obtain incidental physical activity. We know surprisingly little about the specific types of destinations older adults deem relevant and even less about destinations that support the mobility of older adults with low income. Accessible neighborhood destinations may be especially important to older adults with low income as they are more likely to walk as a primary travel mode. Conversely, this population may also be at increased risk of functional impairments that negatively affect their ability to walk. As a means to fill this information gap we aimed to better understand the mobility habits of older adults with low income. Thus, our specific objectives were to: (1) describe the types of destinations older adults with low income most commonly travel to in one week; and (2) determine the association between the prevalence of neighborhood destinations and the number of transportation walking trips these individuals make (average per day). We conducted a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults with low income residing within Metro Vancouver, Canada. We assessed participant travel behavior (frequency, purpose, mode, destination) using seven-day travel diaries and measured the prevalence of neighborhood destinations using the Street Smart Walk Score. We also assessed participants' sociodemographic characteristics and mobility (physical function, car access, confidence walking). We used a negative binomial model to determine the association between Street Smart Walk Score and number of transportation walking trips (average per day). Our sample was comprised of 150 participants (median age 74 years; 51 men) from who we acquired at least one day of travel diary data (range = 1-7 days). Participants made three trips per day (2, 5; median P25, P75) and travelled to six different destination types per week (5, 9; median P25, P75). Destinations most relevant to older adults were grocery stores, malls, and restaurants/cafes. Each 10-point increase in Street Smart Walk Score was associated with a 20% increase in the number of transportation walking trips (average per day, incidence rate ratio = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.29). Our findings provide preliminary evidence regarding destinations that may be most relevant to older adults. They also suggest that the prevalence of these neighborhood destinations may encourage walking. As we approach a new era of healthy city benchmarks, our findings guide policy makers and developers to retrofit and develop communities that support the mobility, health, and independence of older adults.

The authors investigated the use of Google Earth’s Street View option to audit the presence of built environment features that support older adults’ walking. Two raters conducted virtual (Street View) and in-the-field audits of 48 street segments surrounding urban and suburban assisted living sites in metropolitan Vancouver, BC, Canada. The authors determined agreement using absolute agreement. Their findings indicate that Street View may identify the presence of features that promote older adults’ walking, including sidewalks, benches, public washrooms, and destinations. However, Street View may not be as reliable as in-the-field audits to identify details associated with certain items, such as counts of trees or street lights; presence, features, and height of curb cuts; and sidewalk continuity, condition, and slope. Thus, the appropriateness of virtual audits to identify microscale built environment features associated with older adults’ walking largely depends on the purpose of the audits—specifically, whether the measurer seeks to capture highly detailed features of the built environment.

Purpose: To identify exercise patterns and perceived barriers, enablers, and motivators to engaging in exercise for older adults following hip fracture. Method: Telephone interviews were conducted with older adults (aged 62–97 y) within 1 year after hip fracture. Participants were asked about basic demographic information; level of mobility before hip fracture; current level of mobility; and barriers, enablers, and motivators to participating in exercise. Results: A total of 32 older adults successfully recovering after hip fracture completed the telephone interviews. Participants reported few problems with their mobility, and all were engaging in exercise. There were few reported barriers to exercise; the most common were health-related concerns (pain, fatigue, illness, or injury). The most frequently reported enablers were intrinsic factors (determination, seeing improvements, and making exercise part of their daily routine); in particular, the most common motivator to exercise was recovery of function to improve mobility and complete daily and leisure activities. Conclusions: This study highlights the responses of a group of older adults recovering well after hip fracture. Older adults engage in exercise despite the potential limitations associated with a hip fracture. Participants' responses underscore the importance of intrinsic factors and suggest avenues for future investigation.

Purpose: To systematically review the literature related to bone health in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature from January 2005 until February 2010, using keywords related to T2DM and bone-health imaging technology in older adults (aged ≥60 years) to search PubMed, OVID MEDLINE, Ageline, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO. Results: We found a total of 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of the studies used dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and showed either higher or similar areal bone mineral density (aBMD) for older adults with T2DM relative to healthy controls. Studies using more advanced imaging suggested that there may be differences in bone geometry between older adults with and without T2DM. Conclusions: Older adults with T2DM have similar or higher aBMD at the hip relative to older adults without T2DM, despite previous literature reporting an increased risk of low-trauma fractures. Recent studies with advanced imaging have suggested that there may be differences in bone geometry between older adults with T2DM and those without. Health professionals, especially physiotherapists, should be aware of the increased risk and include assessment of fall risk factors and exercise prescription for fall prevention for older adults with T2DM.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of exercise training on muscle strength and tendon function in healthy older adults and in those older athletes who have had total joint replacement (TJR). Recommendations for exercise prescription are addressed in these populations. DATA SOURCES PubMed was searched for articles published during the past 15 years identifying exercise training effects on muscle and tendon in older adults, including those after TJR. Identified studies were cross-referenced, and experts were consulted for additional articles. DATA SELECTION Thirteen articles described training effects on muscle and tendon in older adults. None described the effect on the post-TJR older adult. In healthy older adults, 6 studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); 7 were quasi-experimental designs. Three of the RCTs and 3 of the quasi-experimental studies were short-term (shorter than 12 weeks); the remaining trials lasted longer than 6 months. Most studies identified exercise prescription components. None of the studies on tendon or in patients after TJR contained prospective details of the training strategies used to make recommendations. In the latter, recommendations were based on consensus opinion. SYNTHESIS Outcome measures included strength and power change and adverse events. Exercise prescription components included intensity, mode, frequency, duration, and progression. Most studies found positive relationships between exercise training and these outcomes. No reliable evaluation instruments used to measure outcomes were found, and the long-term effect of interventions was not established. CONCLUSION Exercise prescription recommendations for strength gains in healthy older adults are primarily for changes in muscle. Limited studies in tendon and no prospective studies post-TJR suggest areas for future research. In the latter case, general consensus suggests safety, including mode of sport used for exercise training, is paramount to any exercise prescription.

Chudyk AM, Jutai JW, Petrella RJ, Speechley M. Systematic review of hip fracture rehabilitation practices in the elderly. Objective To address the need for a research synthesis on the effectiveness of the full range of hip fracture rehabilitation interventions for older adults and make evidence based conclusions. Data Sources Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1980 to 2007 for studies published in English. The terms rehabilitation and hip fracture were exploded in order to obtain related search terms and categories. Study Selection In the initial search of the databases, a combined total of 1031 articles was identified. Studies that did not focus on hip fracture rehabilitation, did not include persons over the age of 50 years, and/or did not include measures of physical outcome were excluded. Data Extraction Only studies with an Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence level of I (randomized controlled trial, RCT) or II (cohort) were reviewed. The methodologic quality of both types of studies was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black checklist. Data Synthesis There were 55 studies that met our selection criteria: 30 RCTs and 25 nonrandomized trials. They were distributed across 6 categories for rehabilitation intervention (care pathways, early rehabilitation, interdisciplinary care, occupational and physical therapy, exercise, intervention not specified) and 3 settings (acute care hospital, postacute care/rehabilitation, postrehabilitation). Conclusions When looking across all of the intervention types, the most frequently reported positive outcomes were associated with measures of ambulatory ability. Eleven intervention categories across 3 settings were associated with improved ambulatory outcomes. Seven intervention approaches were related to improved functional recovery, while 6 intervention approaches were related to improved strength and balance recovery. Decreased length of stay and increased falls self-efficacy were associated with 2 interventions, while 1 intervention had a positive effect on lower-extremity power generation.

Background: The primary objective of this review was to determine the strength of evidence for the effectiveness of self-monitoring devices and technologies for individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on specific health-related outcome measures. Self-monitoring devices included those that assist patients with managing diabetes and preventing cardiovascular complications (CVCs). A secondary objective was to explore issues of feasibility, usability, and compliance among patients and providers. Methods: Study criteria included individuals ≥14 years and youth (7–14 years) with T1DM or T2DM, intervention with a self-monitoring device, assessment of clinical outcomes with the device, literature in English, and ≥10 participants. Relevant published literature was searched from 1985 to 2008. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were included. Data were extracted for clinical outcomes, feasibility and compliance methods, and results. Selected studies were independently evaluated with a validated instrument for assessing methodological quality. Results: Eighteen trials were selected. Predominant types of device interventions included self-monitoring of blood glucose, pedometers, and cell phone or wireless technologies. Feasibility and compliance were measured in the majority of studies. Conclusions: Self-monitoring of blood glucose continues to be an effective tool for the management of diabetes. Wireless technologies can improve diabetes self-care, and pedometers are effective lifestyle modification tools. The results of this review indicate a need for additional controlled trial research on existing and novel technologies for diabetes self-monitoring, on health outcomes associated with diabetes and CVCs, and device feasibility and compliance.