Background: Due to the increasing number of older people with multi-morbidity, the demand for outpatient geriatric
rehabilitation (OGR) will also increase.
Objective: To assess the effects of OGR on the primary outcome functional performance (FP) and secondary outcomes:
length of in-patient stay, re-admission rate, patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life, mortality and cost-effectiveness. We also
aim to describe the organisation and content of OGR.
Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Five databases were queried from inception to July 2022. We selected
randomised controlled trials written in English, focusing on multidisciplinary interventions related to OGR, included
participants aged ≥65 and reported one of the main outcomes. A meta-analysis was performed on FP, patients’ quality of
life, length of stay and re-admissions. The structural, procedural and environmental aspects of OGR were systematically
mapped.
Results: We selected 24 studies involving 3,405 participants. The meta-analysis showed no significant effect on the primary
outcome FP (activity). It demonstrated a significant effect of OGR on shortening length of in-patient stay (P = 0.03,
MD = −2.41 days, 95%CI: [−4.61—0.22]). Frequently used elements of OGR are: inpatient start of OGR with an
interdisciplinary rehabilitation team, close cooperation with primary care, an OGR coordinator, individual goal setting and
education for both patient and caregiver.
Conclusion: This review showed that OGR is as effective as usual care on FP activity. It shows low certainty of evidence
for OGR being effective in reducing the length of inpatient stay. Further research is needed on the various frequently used
elements of OGR
