Evidence mapPaperPMID 41545925Full record

SynthesisBMC geriatrics2026

Association between sociodemographic factors and mobility among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ogochukwu Kelechi Onyeso, David R Scott, Chiedozie James Alumona, Michael E Kalu, Israel Ikechukwu Adandom, Olayinka Akinrolie, Kelechi Mirabel Onyeso, Adesola C Odole, Janice Victor, Jon Doan and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Ogochukwu Kelechi OnyesoFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. ok.onyeso@uleth.ca.
David R ScottUniversity of Lethbridge Library, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Chiedozie James AlumonaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Michael E KaluEmerging Researchers and Professionals in Ageing-African Network, Abuja, Nigeria.
Israel Ikechukwu AdandomEmerging Researchers and Professionals in Ageing-African Network, Abuja, Nigeria.
Olayinka AkinrolieEmerging Researchers and Professionals in Ageing-African Network, Abuja, Nigeria.
Kelechi Mirabel OnyesoDepartment of Estate Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria.
Adesola C OdoleDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
Janice VictorFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Jon DoanFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Oluwagbohunmi A AwosogaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMobility limitation is associated with poor quality of life, morbidity, and mortality among older adults. This pre-registered systematic review [PROSPERO CRD42022298570] synthesised the coefficients of association between sociodemographic factors and performance-based mobility outcomes in older adults (≥ 60 years).

methodsElectronic databases MEDLINE, WoS, EMBASE, CINAHL, AgeLine, and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to 27 November 2023 for observational studies reporting an association between sociodemographic factors and performance-based mobility outcomes among older adults. Pairs of reviewers independently conducted title, abstract, and full-text screening, narrative synthesis, and meta-analysis following the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. The effect sizes, heterogeneity, dominance, and publication bias were analysed using R/R-Studio (version 4.3.2) and CMA (version 4).

resultsOf the 9,328 studies screened, 57 were included (n = 130,060 participants); the pooled mean age was 69.81 ± 7.21years, habitual gait speed (HGS) = 1.01 ± 0.28 m/s, and time-up and go score = 7.67 ± 3.56s. The narrative synthesis showed that the majority of the studies found older age (92.2%), women (62.9%), non-Caucasian (75.0%), and lower education (64.5%) associated with significant mobility outcomes. There was a paucity of studies on marital status, area of residence, income, occupation, religion, homeownership, and social status. Meta-analysis showed that older age r=-0.37 [-0.42, -0.32] and female gender r=-0.13 [-0.22, -0.03] were moderately associated with slower HGS.

conclusionOlder age, female gender, non-Caucasian identity, and lower education were consistently associated with poorer mobility outcomes, pointing to sociodemographic sources of inequity and the need for targeted interventions. Limited evidence on marital status, residence, income, occupation, religion, homeownership, and social status restricted broader conclusions. Expanding research across these domains is critical to inform comprehensive strategies that advance equitable mobility and healthier ageing in diverse populations.

trial registrationSystematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42022298570.

Indexed as

Mobility LimitationSociodemographic FactorsAgedHumansQuality of LifeSocioeconomic Disparities in HealthSocioeconomic FactorsAgeingCommunity-dwellingGait speedMobility declineSocial determinants of healthSocial gerontologySocioeconomic

Identifiers

PMID41545925
PMCPMC12903305

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.