Abstract
Background: Older adults face increased risk of functional impairments after Emergency Department (ED) discharge, yet no evidence-based interventions exist for this population. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of Safe Steps, a text message + pedometer intervention designed to motivate individuals to meet step count goals. Methods: We recruited ED patients aged ≥ 60 with low physical activity. Participants received a pedometer in the ED, daily text messages to report steps, and weekly prompts to set step goals over 4 weeks. We assessed step count reporting rates, falls, and change in steps over time. Results: Among analyzed participants (n = 40), daily step reporting was high (95% of weeks with 2 + readings). No participants had falls due to the intervention. Step count increased by a mean of 359 steps per week (95% confidence interval 182–536). Conclusion: Safe Steps appears feasible, safe, and may be effective for promoting activity after ED discharge.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 131 |
| Journal | Aging clinical and experimental research |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2025 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Behaivor change
- Emergency department
- Fall prevention
- Mobile health
- Older adults
- Pedometer
- Physical activity
- Step count
- Text message