Risk Factors for Mobility Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review
Abstract
Mobility is essential to maintaining independence for older adults.
This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence about self-reported risk factors for self-reported mobility decline; and to provide an overview of published prognostic models for selfreported mobility decline among community-dwelling older adults.
Databases were searched from inception to June 2, 2020.
Studies were screened by two independent reviewers who extracted data and assessed study quality.
Sixty-one studies (45,187 participants) were included, providing information on 107 risk factors.
High-quality evidence and moderate/large effect sizes for the association with mobility decline were found for older age beyond 75 years, the presence of widespread pain, and mobility modifications.
Moderate–high quality evidence and small effect sizes were found for a further 21 factors.
Three model development studies demonstrated acceptable model performance, limited by high risk of bias.
These findings should be considered in intervention development, and in developing a prediction instrument for practical application.
Citations
Philippa J.A. Nicolson, Maria T. Sanchez-Santos, Julie Bruce, Shona Kirtley, Lesley Ward, Esther Williamson, and Sarah E. Lamb. Risk Factors for Mobility Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, (Ahead of Print)
Sponsorship: Supported by the NIHR
Page last reviewed: 12 June, 2025
Metadata
Author(s): External author(s) only
Collection: 123456789/642
Subject(s): Mobility, Older People
Format(s): Preprint
Date issued: 2021-08
ID: 910