Mobility Assessment Instruments

Objectives

Review commonly used mobility assessment instruments and discuss their use in multidisciplinary research and clinical practice.

Methods

Data sources include peer-reviewed articles sourced in electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL), government websites, national, and international best practice guidelines to describe frequently used mobility assessment instruments.

Results

Numerous clinician-, observer-, patient-reported, and performance outcome instruments and evidence-based implementation program resources exist, though these vary in their intended purpose and setting. Wearable and ambient sensors provide new opportunities to collect passive, objective physical activity data and observe changes in mobility across settings.

Conclusions

Selection among multiple assessment tools requires consideration of the available evidence for use in the desired population, the outcomes of interest, whether use is feasible for the setting, and the strength of validity and reliability data for the tool.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Nurses, especially in the inpatient setting, are typically in most frequent contact with patients and are well-positioned to assess mobility and ensure that safe, progressive mobility care plans are in place. Development of an organization-wide mobility culture requires a systematic, multidisciplinary approach and long-term commitment.