# Association between social support and life space mobility in older patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: mediating roles of health literacy and intrinsic capacity

## TL;DR

This study finds that social support improves mobility in older heart patients through health literacy and intrinsic capacity.

## Contribution

The study identifies health literacy and intrinsic capacity as partial mediators linking social support to life space mobility in older PCI patients.

## Key findings

- Social support directly and indirectly influences life space mobility through health literacy and intrinsic capacity.
- Health literacy and intrinsic capacity mediate 10.31% and 31.22% of the total effect of social support on mobility.
- 51.8% of post-PCI patients had life space constriction, highlighting mobility challenges in this population.

## Abstract

Enhancing life space mobility is instrumental in promoting healthy aging and improving the overall quality of life for older adults. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the determinants and the underlying mediating mechanisms that influence life space mobility in older patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Investigating the mediating roles of health literacy and intrinsic capacity in the relationship between social support and life space mobility among older patients following PCI.

This cross-sectional observational study prospectively screened and consecutively enrolled 330 post-PCI patients (≥60 years) from the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital in Chongqing between January 2025 and September 2025. A general information questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Chronic Disease Health Literacy Scale, the Intrinsic Capacity Screening Form, and the Life Space Assessment Scale were used to collect data. The mediation model was tested using the SPSS PROCESS macro.

The life space mobility score among older patients following PCI was 58.12 ± 16.59. 51.8% of the patients were classified as having life space constriction. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive associations of social support, health literacy, and intrinsic capacity with life space mobility. The mediation analysis demonstrated a significant direct effect of social support on life space mobility. Furthermore, health literacy and intrinsic capacity were identified as significant partial mediators in this relationship. The specific proportions of the total effect mediated by health literacy and intrinsic capacity were 10.31 and 31.22%, respectively.

Social support has an indirect impact on life space mobility through health literacy and intrinsic capacity, in addition to having a direct impact on post-PCI life space mobility in older patients. These findings underscore the importance of health literacy and intrinsic capacity as key modifiable factors. Developing comprehensive care strategies to enhance health literacy and intrinsic capacity is crucial for mitigating mobility decline and promoting successful recovery in older PCI patients.