Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42554958›Full record

ArticleEuropean geriatric medicine2026

Older patients' experiences of two exercise programmes in a geriatric ward: a qualitative study.

Linda Sandberg, Nathalie Frisendahl, Christina Sandlund, Anne-Marie Boström, Anna-Karin Welmer

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Article in European geriatric medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Linda Sandberg *Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4702-6086
Nathalie Frisendahl *Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. nathalie.frisendahl@ki.se.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8029-312X
Christina SandlundDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1366-9032
Anne-Marie BoströmDivision of Nursing and Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9421-3941
Anna-Karin WelmerDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5819-8724

Funding

Center for Innovative Medicine FoUI-961330Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd 2021-01788Region Stockholm (ALF project) FoUI-1001987Region Stockholm (ALF project) FoUI-1022139Region Stockholm (ALF project) FoUI-960460Region Stockholm (ALF project) FoUI-972778Region Stockholm (ALF project) FoUI-986180Strategic Research Area Health Care Sciences (SFO-V) at Karolinska Institutet 2-855/2023
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeOlder adults hospitalised for acute illness are highly vulnerable to functional decline, often exacerbated by inactivity. Although exercise interventions may reduce this risk, uncertainty remains regarding how such programmes should be designed and tailored for frail patients. Embedded within the PREV_FUNC randomized controlled trial, this study explored older patients' experiences of two in-hospital exercise programmes.

methodsThis qualitative study was conducted at a geriatric hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. Using an inductive approach within a constructivist paradigm, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 patients aged ≥ 75 years who had participated in either a comprehensive or a simple exercise programme. Data were analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis.

resultsOne overarching theme emerged: Structured exercise disrupted inactivity and sparked hope for a turning point. This theme comprised four subthemes: Exercise awakens hope for improvement; Getting out of bed can be challenging; Overall confidence in structured exercise; and Support from the physiotherapist is crucial.

conclusionFrom the patients' perspective, the exercise programmes helped break periods of inactivity and fostered hope for recovery. These findings suggest that in-hospital exercise may support physical activity in geriatric wards, although individual adaptation and support remain essential.

Indexed as

Exercise programmesGeriatricHospitalisationOlder adultsPhysical activity

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.