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Nordic Walking Training Program for Sustaining Independent Walking in Older Adult Evacuees

NCT06404216 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 24

Last updated 2026-01-07

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Abstract:

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the effect and feasibility of a Nordic walking group training intervention on the physical and mental health of older adults evacuated from their homes to Haifa.

Participants:

The study will include 31 participants aged 65 and over who are in stable health and have been cleared by their physician to participate in this NW program.

Intervention:

The intervention will consist of two 60-minute Nordic walking (NW) sessions per week for two months, 16 sessions in total. Participants will be provided with walking sticks to use during the sessions. The sessions will be led by certified health professionals (PT, RN), assisted by trained undergraduate and graduate physiotherapy students.

Outcomes:

The primary outcome will be endurance to the walking sessions, and average weekly and monthly number of steps, measured by a smartphone application. Secondary outcomes will include three physical tests: 30-second sit-to-stand test, 4-meter walk test and heel raise test.

mental health (PHQ-9 depression scale, GAD-7 anxiety scale, WHOQOL- BREF quality of life scale, PANAS short form positive and negative affect scale), and perceived global effect of the intervention.

Design:

The study will use a single-group pre-test/post-test design. Participants will be assessed at baseline, after two months of intervention, and at six months follow-up.

Data Analysis:

Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed-effects linear regression models.

Significance:

This pilot study will provide valuable information on the feasibility and effect of this group NW intervention for older adults evacuated from their homes. The findings will be used to plan and design a larger longitudinal RCT.

Conditions

  • Aging
  • Mental Health Issue
  • War-Related Trauma

Interventions

OTHER

Nordic walking group training

16 60-minute NW group sessions, twice weekly. Sessions will be led by a qualified healthcare professional and a graduating student. A social worker (SP) will participate in one weekly session aiming to empower the participants and utilize group dynamics techniques to promote successful continuation of independent walking following the guided period. Communication throughout the study will be conducted via a WhatsApp forum, to motivate and sustain regular walking during and after the training period. Following 2 months of guidance the group will be launched independently, while keeping remote contact. Same frequency and schedule will be encouraged.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Haifa

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Hilla Sarig-Bahat, Phd · University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-05-16
Primary Completion
2025-07-16
Completion
2025-12-01

Countries

  • Israel

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06404216 on ClinicalTrials.gov