CC BY 4.0Said, Catherine M.McGinley, Jennifer L.Szoeke, CassandraWorkman, BarbaraHill, Keith D.Wittwer, Joanne E.Woodward, MichaelLiew, DannyChurilov, LeonidBernhardt, JulieMorris, Meg E.2025-10-172025-10-1720212021-11-161471-231810.1186/s12877-021-02016-0https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14802/28009Background Older people are often admitted for rehabilitation to improve walking, yet not everyone improves. The aim of this study was to determine key factors associated with a positive response to hospital-based rehabilitation in older people. Methods This was a secondary data analysis from a multisite randomized controlled trial. Older people (n= 198, median age 80.9 years, IQR 76.6- 87.2) who were admitted to geriatric rehabilitation wards with a goal to improve walking were recruited. Participants were randomized to receive additional daily physical therapy focused on mobility (n = 99), or additional social activities (n = 99). Self-selected gait speed was measured on admission and discharge. Four participants withdrew. People who changed gait speed ≥0.1 m/s were classified as ‘responders’ (n = 130); those that changed <0.1m/s were classified as ‘non-responders’ (n = 64). Multivariable logistic regression explored the association of six pre-selected participant factors (age, baseline ambulation status, frailty, co-morbidities, cognition, depression) and two therapy factors (daily supervised upright activity time, rehabilitation days) and response. Results Responding to rehabilitation was associated with the number of days in rehabilitation (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08; p = .039) and higher Mini Mental State Examination scores (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00 – 1.14; p = .048). No other factors were found to have association with responding to rehabilitation. Conclusion In older people with complex health problems or multi-morbidities, better cognition and a longer stay in rehabilitation were associated with a positive improvement in walking speed. Further research to explore who best responds to hospital-based rehabilitation and what interventions improve rehabilitation outcomes is warranted.mobility limitationrehabilitationexercise therapyhospitalizationagedaged, 80 and overJournal article2-s2.0-85100304411Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open accessOpen33517882PMC7847572PUB0201083312NHMRC/1042680