Kinaesthetics in Long-Term Care – Effects of a Kinaesthetics Education and Development Project on the Mobility Status of Nursing Home Residents

Background/Objectives: Mobility is a key determinant of autonomy, participation, and quality of life among nursing home residents. Despite its importance, residents of long-term care facilities are often highly inactive and experience progressive mobility decline. Kinaesthetics is a movement-oriented nursing concept that aims to enhance residents’ own movement resources and participation in everyday care activities. However, robust evidence regarding its effectiveness in long-term care settings remains limited. This study investigated whether the implementation of a comprehensive kinaesthetics programme was associated with differences in mobility development among nursing home residents compared with usual care. Methods: A quasi-experimental longitudinal study was conducted in 12 long-term care facilities in southern Germany. Six facilities implemented a comprehensive kinaesthetics programme, while six facilities served as controls. Resident mobility was assessed using the EBoMo instrument, which measures independence in 11 mobility-related activities (range 11–44 points). Two paired samples were created for two observation periods (2019–2021 and 2021–2022). Changes in mobility status were analysed using group comparisons and multivariable linear regression models adjusted for baseline mobility, age, sex, and care level. Results: A total of 142 residents were included in the 2019–2021 analysis and 107 residents in the 2021–2022 analysis. Baseline characteristics were comparable between intervention and control groups. Between 2019 and 2021, mobility declined in both groups but less strongly in the intervention group (−2.02 vs. −4.39 EBoMo points). This difference showed borderline statistical significance in unadjusted analyses (p = 0.051) but was not significant after adjustment (p = 0.097). No significant group differences were observed between 2021 and 2022. In both regression models, baseline mobility was the strongest predictor of follow-up mobility status. Conclusions: The findings provide no clear evidence that the comprehensive kinaesthetics programme significantly improved residents’ mobility compared with usual care. Although a trend towards a smaller decline in mobility was observed during the first observation period, this effect was not confirmed in subsequent analyses. Further research with larger samples and additional outcome measures is needed to clarify the potential benefits of kinaesthetics-based care in long-term care settings.