Overview
This study will assess whether the use of technology using the Virtual Gate Device (VGD) will prevent or minimize the development of hospital acquired Sarcopenia resulting from Immobilization.
Description
Modern advances in prevention, medical care, and treatments have resulted in an ever-increasing life expectancy and aging of the population. As a result, it is imperative that health care professionals and policy makers develop strategies and new technologies that enable older people to enjoy their advancing years in good health.
Sarcopenia, an age-related decrease in muscle mass, is a major factor in functional decline and frailty and leads to poor quality of life and increased health care costs in older age groups. Because sarcopenia is known to be exacerbated at the time of acute hospital admission, the development of new technologies for the prevention and diagnosis of sarcopenia will have important ramifications in promoting healthy aging in both the acute care and ambulatory settings.
A pilot interventional self-controlled study will be performed in an internal medicine department (internal medicine ward Het) at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa.
Subjects will be evaluated for the risk of sarcopenia by acceptable screening instruments as well as B-mode portable ultrasound. They will then be treated using a stocking-like Virtual Gait Device (VGD) which will be applied to one randomly-assigned lower limb. The VGD is a technology that uses fussy-logic technology to stimulate calf muscles in synchrony with the patient's heartbeat, enabling a virtual gait in patients who have limited mobility.
Confidentiality will be achieved by applying a unique identifier to each trial subject in accordance with Good Clinical Practice standards.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male and female patients 75 years of age and older.
- Patients admitted with an acute infection (clinically from a respiratory or urinary source).
- Expected length of hospitalization of at least 4 days.
- Patients who are conscious and cognitively able to provide written informed consent as determined by a score of 0 on the 4AT scale
Exclusion Criteria:
- Male and female patients under 75 years of age.
- Expected length of hospitalization of less than 4 days.
- A condition limiting the use of the virtual gate device (VGD) due to factors relating to discomfort or safety, including but not limited to: fracture, amputation, local infection, pain, paralysis of one or both lower limbs, cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac pacemaker.
- Patients who are unable to or do not provide informed consent for participation.
- A score 1 or more on the 4AT scale.