Impact of a Systems-Based Intervention to Overcome Barriers to Ambulation and Improve Unit Culture - Abstract

Sep 29, 2026

Low mobility of older adults during hospitalization leads to major loss of functional ability by discharge. Nurses are central to maintaining patient function, yet many lack knowledge and self-efficacy for assessing mobility and may not view ambulation as part of their role. The MOVIN multicomponent, systems-based intervention targets system barriers and aims to shift nurse behavior and unit ambulation culture. In a cluster randomized controlled trial across 2 hospitals, pre/post surveys showed reduced nurse barriers and improved ambulation culture perceptions after MOVIN.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

MOVIN systems-based intervention

Trial design and measurement

Pre/post survey outcomes

996 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Low mobility of older adults during hospitalization results in devastating losses in functional ability by discharge. Nursing staff are identified as the primary healthcare provider responsible for maintaining patient functional status. However, nurses often lack knowledge and self-efficacy for assessing patient mobility and may not see patient ambulation as their role. Mobilizing Older adults Via a systems-based INtervention (MOVIN) is a multicomponent intervention designed to target system barriers and change in nurse behavior and ambulation culture on inpatient units. This presentation will report changes in nurse perceptions of barriers to ambulation and changes in unit ambulation culture pre/post MOVIN implementation. A cluster randomized controlled trial design was used to measure changes in nurse behavior and unit ambulation culture. Nursing staff (Registered Nurse (RN) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) from 2 hospitalsand 4 inpatient adult medical units completed Barriers to Patient Ambulation and Ambulation Culture surveys. General Linear Modeling and propensity weights to adjust for covariant differences between pre and post were used as a function to determine group differences (pre/post) by units. Nursing staff completed 194 Pre and 169 Post surveys. RNs had a significant reduction in Barriers to Ambulation (knowledge, attitudes, behaviors) post-intervention. Across nursing staff, positive perceptions of Ambulation Culture increased post-intervention. Implementation of MOVIN was effective in reducing barriers to nurse ambulation and improving ambulation culture on hospital units. Addressing these barriers is critical to achieving sustained changes in nurse-initiated patient ambulation and improving functional outcomes for hospitalized older adults. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3361 IMPACT OF A SYSTEMS-BASED INTERVENTION TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO AMBULATION AND IMPROVE UNIT CULTURE David Tucker1, Barbara King1, and Linsey Steege2, 1. University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 2. University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing, Madison, Wisconsin, United States

FAQs

What problem does the MOVIN intervention address?

MOVIN targets system barriers that hinder nurse-facilitated ambulation for hospitalized older adults, addressing gaps in nurse knowledge and self-efficacy and promoting a supportive ambulation culture.

How was the study designed to evaluate MOVIN?

A cluster randomized controlled trial design measured changes in nurse behavior and unit ambulation culture using pre/post surveys from registered nurses and certified nursing assistants across inpatient medical units.

What were the main results after MOVIN implementation?

After the intervention, RNs showed a significant reduction in barriers to ambulation, and overall nursing staff reported increased positive perceptions of ambulation culture.

Sep 29, 2026

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