A Randomized Trial of Gamification and Coaching to Improve Mobility After Hospitalization

The objective of this study is to test the feasibility of using behavioral economic interventions (gamification with social incentives) to increase physical activity after hospital discharge to reduce incident mobility disability among older adults.

Inclusion Criteria:Age 50 years or olderAdmitted to UPHS acute care hospital (HUP, PPMC, PAH, LGH, CCH, or PMPMC) and discharged to homeAble to ambulate independentlyExclusion Criteria:Inability to provide informed consentDoes not have daily access to a smartphone compatible with the wearable device and is not willing to use a device that we can provide themAlready enrolled in another physical activity studyLow mobility score indicating that the patient is not able to walk distances greater than 1000 steps/day independentlyAny other medical conditions that would prohibit participation in a 6-month physical activity programUnable to complete the baseline period (must have at least 4 out of 7 days of step data with minimum step count of 1000 steps/day)Not willing to use the wearable device for the full duration of the studyEnrolled in hospice