Jones 2006.

Study characteristics
Methods	Design: RCT Baseline time point (T1): within 48 hours of admission Outcome time point (T2): within 24 hours of discharge from hospital
Participants	Inclusion criteria: aged ≥ 65 years, general medical admission to the general medical wards; provided informed consent Exclusion criteria: admitted from a nursing home or who were receiving nursing home level of care at home; medically unstable or where mobilisation was contraindicated by the treating medical team; admitted to the delirium management unit; non‐weight‐bearing; not assessed within 48 hours of admission; assessed as requiring palliative care; admitted to hospital with a diagnosis known to cause functional impairment; or who had an expected length of stay < 24 hours Exercise arm n at baseline: 80 Age mean: 81.9 (SD 8.0) years Women (n (%)): 43 (53.8) Barthel Index (0–100) on admission (median): 71 (IQR 51.5–83.0) Confusion on admission – CAM (n (%)): 30 (37.5) Control arm n at baseline: 80 Age mean: 82.9 (SD 7.6) years Women (n (%)): 49 (61.3) Barthel Index (0–100) on admission (median): 61 (IQR 40.5–82.5) Confusion on admission – CAM (n (%)): 37.5 (46)
Interventions	Exercise arm TIDieR item 1: (brief name: provide the name or a phrase that describes the intervention): exercise intervention + usual care. TIDieR item 2: (why: describe any rationale, theory or goal of the elements essential to the intervention): hypothesised that an exercise programme + usual care in the acute setting may improve functional outcomes and reduce health service utilisation. TIDieR item 3: (what (materials): describe any physical or informational materials used in the intervention, including those provided to participants or used in intervention delivery or in training of intervention providers): not specified other than not requiring expensive or specialist equipment. TIDieR item 4: (what (procedures): describe each of the procedures, activities or processes (or a combination) used in the intervention, including any enabling or support activities): participants randomised to the intervention group were assigned to 1 of 4 levels of an exercise programme depending on their functional status as assessed at baseline. The exercise intervention focused on targeted strength, balance and functional exercises. Level 1: bed exercises including targeted lower, upper limb and abdominal strengthening exercises in supine position and sitting balance exercises. Level 2: sitting exercise programme includes targeted lower limb, upper limb and abdominal strengthening exercises in sitting position, sit to stand exercises, marching on the spot and standing balance exercises. Level 3: standing exercise programme including targeted lower limb, upper limb and abdominal strengthening exercises in standing position, sit to stand exercises, step up exercises, standing balance exercises and ambulation. Level 4: stairs exercise programme includes targeted lower limb, upper limb and abdominal strengthening exercises in standing position, step up exercises and walking up flights of stairs, standing balance exercises and ambulation. TIDieR item 5: (who provided: for each category of intervention provider (e.g. psychologist, nursing assistant), describe their expertise, background and any specific training given): an allied health assistant supervised/assisted with the exercise programme. TIDieR item 6: (how: describe the modes of delivery (such as face‐to‐face or by some other mechanism, such as Internet or telephone) of the intervention and whether it was provided individually or in a group): face‐to‐face. TIDieR item 7: (where: describe the type(s) of location(s) where the intervention occurred, including any necessary infrastructure or relevant features): general medical wards. TIDieR item 8: (when and how much: describe the number of times the intervention was delivered and over what period of time including the number of sessions, their schedule, and their duration, intensity or dose): the exercise programme was carried out for approximately 30 minutes, twice daily. TIDieR item 9: (tailoring: if the intervention was planned to be personalised, titrated or adapted, then describe what, why, when and how): the exercise programmes were tailored to the individual's ability, consisted predominantly of strengthening and mobility exercises. Assigned to 1 of 4 levels of an exercise programme depending on their functional status as assessed at baseline. TIDieR item 10: (modifications: if the intervention was modified during the course of the study, describe the changes (what, why, when and how)): not specified. TIDieR item 11: (how well (planned): if intervention adherence or fidelity was assessed, describe how and by whom, and if any strategies were used to maintain or improve fidelity, describe them): the amount of time (in minutes) spent by the person participating in the programme was recorded. TIDieR item 12: (how well (actual): if intervention adherence or fidelity was assessed, describe the extent to which the intervention was delivered as planned): the intervention group received a median of 100 minutes (IQR 37.5–225). In addition, the intervention group spent a median of 160 minutes (IQR 120–360) participating in the exercise intervention. Control arm TIDieR item 1: usual care. TIDieR item 2: not specified. TIDieR item 3: not specified. TIDieR item 4: medical, nursing and allied health intervention and discharge planning were consistent with the participant's diagnosis and resources available on the acute general medical wards. Usual care PT in an acute medical ward was focused on assessment and planning for discharge. TIDieR item 5: not specified. TIDieR item 6: face‐to‐face. TIDieR item 7: general medical wards. TIDieR item 8: not specified. TIDieR item 9: not specified. TIDieR item 10: not specified. TIDieR item 11: not specified. TIDieR item 12: the control group received a median of 90 minutes (IQR 42.5–232.5) of 'usual care' PT intervention during their acute hospitalisation.
Outcomes	Barthel Index (score 0–100) at T2 Falls during hospitalisation Medical deterioration during hospitalisation Mortality during hospitalisation Length of hospital stay Timed Up and Go at T2
Notes	The control group had lower proportion of people from their own home compared to the intervention group (88.8% with intervention vs 76.3% with control). Mean modified Barthel Index was higher in the intervention group compared to the control (71 with intervention vs 61 with control).