Ensuring Yoga Intervention Fidelity in a Randomized Preference Trial for the Treatment of Worry in Older Adults

IntroductionPhysical activity is an integral part of healthy ageing, yet the majority of older adults 65+ years are not sufficiently active. Web-based physical activity interventions hold much promise to reach older adults. Preliminary evidence suggests that web-based interventions with tailored advice and Fitbits may be well suited for older adults.Methods and analysisThis study aims to test the effectiveness of ‘Active for Life’, a 12-week computer-tailored web-based physical activity intervention using Fitbits for older adults. We will recruit 300 participants who will be randomly assigned to one of three trial arms: (1) web-based physical activity intervention with tailored advice only, (2) web-based physical activity intervention with tailored advice and Fitbit or (3) a wait-list control. The primary outcome, objective moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and secondary outcomes of objective sedentary behaviour, objective sleep, quality of life, social support, physical function and satisfaction with life will be assessed at baseline and week 12. The secondary outcomes of self-reported physical activity, sitting time and sleep will be assessed at baseline, week 6, 12 and 24. Website usability and participant satisfaction will be assessed at week 12 and website usage and intervention fidelity will be assessed from week 1 to 24. Intention-to-treat linear mixed model analyses will be used to test for group (tailoring only, tailoring +Fitbit, control) differences on changes in the main outcome, MVPA and secondary outcomes. Generalised linear models will be used to compare intervention groups (tailoring only, tailoring +Fitbit) on website usability, participant satisfaction, website usage and intervention fidelity.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received ethics approval from the Central Queensland University Human Research Ethics Committee (H16/12-321). Study outcomes will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and academic conferences and used to inform improvements and dissemination of a tailored, web-based physical activity intervention for adults 65+ years.Trial registration numberAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12618000646246

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Feasibility of an 8-week Yoga Intervention among Middle-aged and Older Adults

10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004137 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Neha P. Gothe ◽

Emily Erlenbach ◽

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Critical Role ◽

Feasibility Studies ◽

Target Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Yoga Intervention ◽

Enrollment Rates

Feasibility studies play a critical role in determining whether the target population is likely to engage with larger scale efficacy and effectiveness trials. Feasibility data for yoga interventions designed and conducted with older adults is limited. In this paper we present feasibility and acceptability data from an 8-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted with middle aged and older adults. Participants n=118 (Mean age: 62.0 years) were randomized to either a Hatha yoga or Stretching Control group with hour long group exercise classes held 3x/week for 8 weeks. Herein we report feasibility and acceptability, including enrollment rates, attendance, attrition and adverse events, participant feedback and satisfaction data. Of the 265 adults screened, 118 were eligible and randomized. Session attendance was high for both groups (80.82 to 81.29 %) and only 10 people were lost to follow-up. Program satisfaction for both groups was high (4.8 and 4.86 out of 5) and no adverse events were reported. Participants’ feedback regarding most and least helpful aspects of the program as well as suggestions for future yoga interventions are summarized. Overall, the yoga intervention was highly feasible and acceptable. The feasibility parameters from this trial can aid researchers in estimating desired sample sizes to successfully recruit, randomize and retain older adults in short- and long-term yoga based RCTs.

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