Purpose In the FACE Delirium trial, we investigated the feasibility of a structured FAmily-CEntered delirium prevention and treatment during the corona pandemic. Methods Patients hospitalized in a German geriatric medicine department were included in this single-center, prospective, single-arm feasibility study. Their relatives received a short training on delirium and volunteers or paid staff members facilitated video calls. The primary endpoint was reached when contact between patients and their relatives occurred on ≥ 80% of treatment days, either via video call or visit. Results 38 patients were included (age 83.0 ± 5.9 years; 73.7% women). 76.3% reached the primary endpoint. Due to the pandemic, 99.3% of the contacts were video calls with a duration of 24.8 ± 16.3 min. Conclusion Family-centered delirium prevention and treatment using video calls is feasible among hospitalized geriatric patients. Daily implementation in clinical practice poses challenges and requires motivated and qualified staff.

To investigate the feasibility of wearable gait analysis in geriatric wards by testing the effectiveness and acceptance of the system. Wearable gait analysis can be implemented into geriatric wards, showing its readiness for a transformation from a pure research tool to a practically usable gait analysis system. Despite good transferability into clinical practice, future research should aim to increase functionality and applicability of wearable gait analysis systems in clinical contexts. We assess feasibility of wearable gait analysis in geriatric wards by testing the effectiveness and acceptance of the system. Gait parameters of 83 patients (83.34 ± 5.88 years, 58/25 female/male) were recorded at admission and/or discharge to/from two geriatric inpatient wards. Gait parameters were tested for statistically significant differences between admission and discharge. Walking distance measured by a wearable gait analysis system was correlated with distance assessed by physiotherapists. Examiners rated usability using the system usability scale. Patients reported acceptability on a five-point Likert-scale. The total distance measures highly correlate (r = 0.89). System Usability Scale is above the median threshold of 68, indicating good usability. Majority of patients does not have objections regarding the use of the system. Among other gait parameters, mean heel strike angle changes significantly between admission and discharge. Wearable gait analysis system is objectively and subjectively usable in a clinical setting and accepted by patients. It offers a reasonably valid assessment of gait parameters and is a feasible way for instrumented gait analysis.