Incorporating Physical Activity Assessments and Behavior Change Techniques Into Geriatrics.
Mariana Wingood, Jonathan F Bean, Amy M Linsky
PMID 38163022WHAT IT FOUND
This paper outlines a proposed three-step framework for therapists to assess and address physical activity levels in older adults.
It offers expert recommendations based on behavior change theory, not tested interventions, so there is no evidence here that these steps improve patient outcomes.
What this paper is
This is a theoretical article describing a proposed clinical decision pathway for assessing physical activity in older adults. It does not report a study with participants, methods, or results. It offers expert recommendations and a framework for practice, but presents no evidence that these techniques improve patient outcomes.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat this proposed pathway as evidence-based practice. The authors explicitly state that additional research is needed to advance these theory-based recommendations to evidence-based recommendations, and the primary tools described (such as the Physical Activity Vital Sign) have not been validated in older adult populations.