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Factors Influencing Outcomes of a Telehealth-Based Physical Activity Program in Older Veterans Postdischarge
Journal article   Open access

Factors Influencing Outcomes of a Telehealth-Based Physical Activity Program in Older Veterans Postdischarge

Daniel Liebzeit, Samantha Bjornson, Kristin Phillips, Robert V Hogikyan, Christine Cigolle and Neil B Alexander
Federal Practitioner, Vol.42(10), pp.348-356
10/2025
DOI: 10.12788/fp.0632
PMCID: PMC13012433
PMID: 41884360
url
https://doi.org/10.12788/fp.0632View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background: Hospital-to-home transitions are influenced by hospitalization factors, associated posthospital syndromes, and postdischarge health care application. The objective of this study was to examine how these factors influenced outcomes of a pilot intervention using Veterans Affairs Video Connect (VVC) to enhance function and physical activity in older adults posthospital discharge. Methods: Twenty-four older adults (mean age, 74 years) participated in a 6-month pilot VVC physical activity intervention designed to enhance functional ability, physical performance, and physical activity. Results: Participants with mild to moderate cognitive impairment had less improvement in activities of daily living (median, 0; IQR, 0 to 1) than those with no impairment (median, 0; IQR, -0.75 to 0; effect size [ES], -1.1; P = .04). Participants with . 1 readmission experienced a greater increase in Rosow-Breslau mobility disability score (median, 0; IQR, -0.5 to 1) than participants who were not readmitted (median, 0; IQR, -1.25 to 0.25; ES, 1.0; P = .03). Longer hospital length of stay was correlated with an increase in Nagi score (ρ, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.75), and higher number of medication changes was correlated with a decrease in Rosow-Breslau mobility disability score (ρ, -0.47; 95% CI, -0.76 to -0.02). Conclusions: In a cohort of older adults undergoing a 6-month pilot VVC-based physical activity intervention posthospital discharge, improvements in mobility and disability were most likely in those who had no cognitive impairment and were not readmitted. Larger sample and qualitative investigations are necessary to optimize outcomes for those who meet these clinical profiles.

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