Ann Sophia Bertelsen,1– 3 Jesper Ryg,1,4,5 Tahir Masud,1,2,6 Charlotte Suetta,7,8 Lisbeth Rosenbek Minet1,2 1Geriatric Research Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; 2Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; 3Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; 4Department of Internal Medicine Geriatric Section, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark; 5Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; 6Department of Geriatric Medicine, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK; 7Department of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark; 8Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkCorrespondence: Ann Sophia Bertelsen, Geriatric Research Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, Email ann.sophia.bertelsen@rsyd.dkIntroduction and Purpose: Hospitalised older patients are at high risk of functional decline due to prolonged inactivity. Gerontechnology, including robot-assisted physical exercise, may support early mobilisation, but its use in acute hospital settings remains underexplored. This case report provides an in-depth insight into robot-assisted physical exercise in an older patient admitted to a geriatric department, reflecting the clinical setting of geriatric care during acute hospitalisation and highlighting real-world challenges related to engagement and adherence.Method and Materials: As part of an ongoing randomised controlled trial (RCT), this case report includes a 98-year-old woman randomised to active robot-assisted physical exercise. The intervention was offered twice daily during hospital stay. A structured, semi-guided interview was conducted at discharge to explore the patient’s experiences, motivation, and perceived impact of the exercise. This report presents a detailed description of the intervention including exercise, progression, adherence and the patient’s experience.Results: The patient described the exercise as engaging, mood-lifting, and beneficial. However, fatigue impacted adherence, resulting in 50% adherence. Functionally, the patient demonstrated increased independence, reflected by an improvement in Barthel Index (0– 100, higher scores indicate greater independence) from 57 at admission to 69 at discharge. Chair stand test performance did not change.Conclusion: Based on this single case, robot-assisted physical exercise was positively perceived, even by a frail, hospitalised older patient. However, fluctuating energy levels highlight the need for flexible, patient-centred strategies. This case provides early insight into feasibility, motivation, and real-world adherence, contributing to understanding how robotic rehabilitation may support early mobilisation. Further evidence from the ongoing RCT will clarify its effectiveness in improving outcomes in this population.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05782855.Keywords: Case report, geriatrics, robot-assisted physical exercise, acute hospitalisation
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