Simple arm test identifies frailty

Editor's Note

A simple arm test that uses a wearable technology can rapidly and accurately identify physiological frailty in older adults facing surgery, finds this study.

Researchers developed a 20-second upper arm extension test (ie, upper extremity frailty [UEF] system) to assess biomarkers of frailty, such as slowness of motion, weakness, and exhaustion. The technology uses sensors found in cell phones.

Results showed that clinicians can get similar results with the arm test as they would get with a gait assessment, and can be used to asses bed-bound trauma patients for frailty.