研究背景：行政院衛生署於2011年統計65歲以上的高齡住院人數佔總住院人數的28%，大約30-60%的高齡住院患者在出院後將無法執行原住院前之活動功能程度。若健康照護者能即時掌握高齡住院患者發生功能衰退的潛在因子，早期介入與防範，應能降低失能風險。
研究目的：探討指導簡易活動介入對高齡住院患者降低因住院導致活動功能衰退之成效。
研究方法：採介入性研究，以南部醫學中心內科病房為收案場域，65歲以上高齡住院患者為收案對象，採隨機分派分為對照組、口頭提醒組及活動介入組，分別提供常規照護、口頭提醒受試者活動及實際協助受試者活動。除了一般生理功能測量外，我們利用改良式巴氏量表量測出院前二週、住院時、入院時、出院一個月及三個月的生活活動功能的變化。
研究結果：在步行四公尺速度、起立行走測試、手握力測試、改良版巴式量表及自覺健康滿意度(EQ5D)的量測，於出院時、出院後一個月及出院後三個月評估時，三組均無統計上顯著差異。但在不同時間點的改善比較方面，則在出院後一個月至出院後三個月的步行四公尺速度、出院時至出院後三個月的起立行走測試、出院時至出院後三個月以及出院後一個月至出院後三個月的自覺健康滿意度也都有顯著的改善，且有統計上顯著意義。
研究結論：本研究結果顯示，對於高齡住院患者口頭提醒或實際介入簡易活動，在住院後一至三個月可看到部分生理功能及自覺健康滿意度的改善。未來可進一步分析影響介入成效的因素及介入的成本效益，以提供臨床醫護人員有效之老年照護應用。

Background：In 2011, data from the Department of Health, Executive Yuan in Taiwan reported that patients aged beyond 65 years accounted for 28% among hospitalized patients. In addition, functional activities among 30% to 60% of hospitalized older patients could not return to the baseline levels before admission after they were discharged. If health care professionals understand the risk factors of functional decline among these patients, disability may be reduced by early intervention and prevention.
Objective：To evaluate the effect of the simplified activities on preventing functional decline among hospitalized older patients
Methods：The intervention trial was conducted at medical wards of a medical center in Southern Taiwan. Patients aged more than 65 years were randomly assigned to control group, reminding group and activity group, of which the elderly patients enrolled were provided routine care, reminding for simplified activity or simplified activity with assistance. In addition to physical measurements, the functional activity was evaluated by Modified Barthel Index at two weeks before admission, at admission, on the day of discharge, and at one month and three months after discharge.
Results: On assessment at discharge, a month after discharge and three months after discharge, there was no significantly statistical difference between three groups on the measurements of 4-meter walking speed, timed up and go, hand grip strength, Modified Barthel Index, and self-perceived health status (EQ5D). Sevreal statistically significant improvements were noted after discharge: 4-meter walking speed from 1 month to 3 months after discharge, timed up and go from discharge to 3 months after discharge, and self-perceived health status from discharge to 3 months after discharge and from 1 month to 3 months after discharge.
Conclusion：Our study show simplified activity by reminding or assistance could improve part of physical function and self-perceived health status. Further analysis to clarify the factor of successful intervention and cost-effectiveness is needed for clinical implications on the geriatric care by health care professionals.

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