Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mobility of older adults: A scoping review

Aims and objectives: To identify the most frequent determinants of contact limitation on older adults' mobility addressed by the recommendations to mitigate mobility limitation during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the recommendations characteristics and means of dissemination that might guide coping actions. Background: Measures for physical contact restriction were implemented to prevent COVID-19 spread. These measures directly impacted older people, reducing their mobility, especially outside home environment. Health systems worldwide need to be prepared to implement strategies to mitigate negative effects of reduced mobility in this population. Design: Scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. Method: Therefore, a scoping review was conducted in LILACS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE and SCOPUS databases. Documents and reports with recommendations from government agencies were also consulted. Results were presented in a narrative synthesis based on a conceptual model of mobility proposed by Webber (The Gerontologist, 2010, 50, 443) regarding the most frequently addressed determinants, characteristics of the proposed interventions, and means of dissemination for the older person population. Findings: Twenty-eight studies were selected for the final sample. According to Webber's model, most articles (n = 14) presented the impacts on mobility from the perspective of physical determinants, relating this aspect to biological losses in the musculoskeletal system, and a minority assessed mobility in vital spaces, encompassing environmental (n = 3) and financial (n = 1) determinants. Also, the most frequent recommendation was that physical activity promotes maintenance of mobility and prevents the occurrence of adverse results, such as falls, fractures and functional decline. As to dissemination, digital technologies were recognised as a strategy to motivate, instruct and monitor exercise practice to increase mobility in older adults. Conclusion: The main conditions related to the decline in mobility of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic were physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle. The practice of physical activity is widespread and needs to be adapted according to individual needs. Finally, digital technologies are essential tools in this period, but other alternatives should also be considered for low-income seniors. Implications for practice: It is hoped that the gaps identified through this scoping review can help enhance the discussion on the broader assessment of mobility in older adults and the design of interventions when contact restriction is a reality.