OBJECTIVE: To test if pedometers, as a motivational tool, could affect mobility outcomes in inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Subacute hospital rehabilitation unit in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 78 participants with reduced mobility and clinician-determined capacity to improve. INTERVENTIONS: Both groups received usual care. For the intervention group, a pedometer was worn on the hip with the step count visible to participant and recorded daily on an exercise log. For the control group, a pedometer fixed shut was worn on the hip and they recorded estimated distances walked on an exercise log. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome was functional mobility -- de Morton Mobility Index. Secondary outcome measures were walking velocity, functional independence measure, time spent upright and daily step count. RESULTS: Significant improvements over time (p < 0.001) in functional mobility, comfortable walking velocity and functional independence measure were not influenced by the intervention. The daily average upright time (hours) in the first week of intervention was different (p = 0.004) between the intervention group (median interquartile range (IQR) 1.67 to 1.77) compared to the control group (median IQR 1.12 to 0.82). CONCLUSION: Pedometers as a motivational tool without targets do not improve functional mobility in this population. Pedometers may improve daily upright time in this setting.

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