Community-based Intervention Effects on Older Adults' Physical Activity

Summary

The research team will conduct a 2 x 2 factorial experiment testing the individual and combined effects of two empirically and theoretically relevant sets of behavior change strategies on community-dwelling older adults' physical activity. To do this the investigators will randomize participants \>= 70 years old (n = 308) to 1 of 4 experimental conditions. All conditions include an evidence-based physical activity protocol endorsed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use by all older adults, including those with frailty and multiple co-morbidities and the commercially available physical activity monitor (e.g., Fitbit) to augment intervention delivery. Intervention components that are experimental and vary by condition are the sets of behavior change strategies which will be combined with the physical activity protocol and the physical activity monitor. Condition 1 has no specific behavior change strategies; Condition 2 includes an intervention component comprised of 5 interpersonal behavior change strategies, such as facilitating social support and social comparison; Condition 3 includes an intervention component comprised of 5 intrapersonal behavior change strategies, such as setting personally meaningful goals; and Condition 4 includes both sets of behavior change strategies -- 5 interpersonal strategies combined with 5 intrapersonal behavior change strategies.

Conditions

• Exercise
• Physical Activity
• Accidental Fall
• Motivation
• Older Adults

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Otago Exercise Program

The program has been adapted for groups and includes 5 flexibility movements (e.g., back extension and ankle, head, neck, trunk movements), 5 leg strengthening exercises (knee extensor, knee flexor, hip abductor, ankle plantar flexes, ankle dorsiflexes), 12 balance movements (knee bends, backwards walking, walking and turning, sideways walking, tandem stance, tandem walk, one leg stand, heel walking, toe walking, heel-toe walking backwards, sit to stand, stair walking), and a walking plan. The number, intensity and duration of movements are individualized according to preference and ability and they are gradually progressed.

DEVICE

Physical activity monitors (e.g., Fitbit)

We will use Fitbit Charge 2 (or an equivalent). Features essential for this research include built-in accelerometers that accurately measure steps and physical activity (PA) duration.Participants will have a brief orientation to these during baseline data collection and have the opportunity to return demonstrate. In addition, RAs will be available to help participants troubleshoot, as needed, via telephone and in person, after intervention meetings. Intervention meetings include discussions about the PAMs, but topics vary according to assigned study condition.

BEHAVIORAL

Interpersonal Behavior Change Strategies

The interpersonal content will include facilitated discussed about including PA into social routines, identifying and problem-solving social and environmental barriers to PA, social support for exercise, and friendly social comparisons about practicing PA outside the small group setting and interpreting/ sharing data.

BEHAVIORAL

Intrapersonal Behavior Change Strategies

The intrapersonal content will include encouragement and guidance to identify baseline PA patterns, develop and refine personally meaningful goals and plans, identify and problem solve personal barriers to staying physically active, integrate PA into personal routines, and monitor goal outcomes

OTHER

Information about Health and Wellness

Information about health and wellness varies in dose, according to time spent in each condition that addresses behavior change. Topics in condition 1 include sleep, vaccinations, supplements, fall risk factors, memory, hearing and pain guided by information for older adults available on the NIA and CDC websites. Topics in conditions 2 and 3 include fall risk factors and sleep. Topics in condition 4 include fall risk factors.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Minnesota

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Siobhan K McMahon, PhD · University of Minnesota

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-11-17

Primary Completion

2023-10-31

Completion

2023-10-31

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations