Feasibility RCT of Culturally Appropriate Physical Activity Strategies for Older Chinese Adults in the UK

Summary

The goal of this study was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a feasibility randomised controlled trial of culturally appropriate physical activity (PA) promotion strategies among older Chinese adults living in the UK.

The main questions the study aimed to answer were:

Whether older Chinese adults in the UK were willing to take part in the study and to be randomly assigned to a group

Whether participants were willing to remain in the study for its full duration

Whether participants were willing to engage with the PA promotion strategies, including attending workshops, using a logbook, wearing a pedometer, and joining a social media support group

Whether participants found the PA promotion strategies and outcome measures acceptable

Whether physical activity, physical function, and quality of life showed changes in the intervention and control groups

Researchers compared the culturally appropriate PA promotion strategies with a World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendation leaflet. The study lasted 18 weeks, including a 12-week intervention and a 6-week follow-up.

Participants in the intervention group received culturally appropriate PA promotion materials, including booklets, workshops, a social media support group, a resistance band for strength and balance exercises, and a pedometer.

Participants in the control group received a WHO PA information leaflet and a pedometer.

Participants in both groups completed data collection at three time points. At each time point, participants were asked to wear a pedometer for 7 days.

Conditions

• Physical Inactivity
• Ethnic Minority Group

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

The culturally appropriate PA promotion strategies

The intervention was developed based on the Behaviour Change Wheel, aiming to increase participants' capability, opportunity, and motivation to engage in physical activity. It consisted of three components: printed materials, group workshops, and an online social media support group. * The printed materials included three parts: a culturally appropriate core booklet; the Chinese version of the Otago home exercise booklet, and a physical activity logbook. * Participants were invited to attend three workshops over a 12-week period, scheduled every four weeks. The workshops were designed to reinforce the content of the booklets and included presentations, group exercises, and group discussions. * Participants were also invited to join a study-specific social media support group via WeChat or WhatsApp, depending on their preference. These groups provided peer support, opportunities to share physical activity goals and progress, and motivational messages and reminders from the researcher.

BEHAVIORAL

WHO leaflet group (control)

In the control group, participants received a printed leaflet outlining World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity recommendations for older adults. Participants were encouraged to follow these guidelines, including 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with strength and balance exercises twice weekly, at a time and place convenient to them. No additional support was provided.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Manchester

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-01

Primary Completion

2025-07-01

Completion

2025-09-01

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations