scholarly journals Facilitators and challenges in delivering a peer-support physical activity intervention for older adults: a qualitative study with multiple stakeholders

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Crozier ◽  
Lorna Porcellato ◽  
Benjamin J. R. Buckley ◽  
Paula M. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Large City ◽  
North West ◽  
Intervention Delivery ◽  
Peer Volunteers

Abstract Background Involving peer volunteers in intervention delivery can provide social support and improve adherence. Whilst such interventions have the potential to reduce physical activity (PA) intervention costs, little is known about the process of delivering them in practice. This qualitative study explored the facilitators and challenges of delivering a peer-support PA intervention for older adults, with a view to making recommendations for the delivery of future interventions. Methods Data were collected via (7) semi-structured interviews and a focus group with stakeholders involved in a peer-support PA intervention for older adults in a large city in the North-West of England. Participants included local authority staff (n = 3), peer volunteers (n = 2) and service users (n = 7). Audio data were transcribed verbatim and thematically coded to identify perceived facilitators and challenges. Results Facilitators to delivery included social interaction, community referral pathways, suitable facilities, peer volunteers and high-quality instructors. Challenges surrounded inconsistent practice, staff capacity, safety and accountability, and awareness raising. Conclusions Peer volunteers can provide an additional support mechanism alongside qualified instructors for increasing social interaction within PA interventions. For optimal intervention delivery, consideration needs to be given to equipment and space, safety and accountability and consistency of practice.

scholarly journals Effects of a DVD-delivered randomized controlled physical activity intervention on functional health in cancer survivors

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Salerno ◽  
Neha P. Gothe ◽  
Jason Fanning ◽  
Lindsay L. Peterson ◽  
Graham A. Colditz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Group Time

Abstract Background Supervised physical activity interventions improve functional health during cancer survivorship, but remain costly and inaccessible for many. We previously reported on the benefits of a DVD-delivered physical activity program (FlexToBa™) in older adults. This is a secondary analysis of the intervention effects among cancer survivors in the original sample. Methods Low active, older adults who self-reported a history of cancer (N = 46; M time since diagnosis = 10.7 ± 9.4 years) participated in a 6-month, home-based physical activity intervention. Participants were randomized to either the DVD-delivered physical activity program focused on flexibility, toning, and balance (FlexToBa™; n = 22) or an attentional control condition (n = 24). Physical function was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at baseline, end of intervention, and at 12 and 24 months after baseline. Results Repeated measures linear mixed models indicated a significant group*time interaction for the SPPB total score (β = − 1.14, p = 0.048), driven by improved function from baseline to six months in the FlexToBa™ group. The intervention group also had improved balance (β = − 0.56, p = 0.041) compared with controls. Similar trends emerged for the SPPB total score during follow-up; the group*time interaction from 0 to 12 months approached significance (β = − 0.97, p = 0.089) and was significant from 0 to 24 months (β = − 1.84, p = 0.012). No significant interactions emerged for other outcomes (ps > 0.11). Conclusions A DVD-delivered physical activity intervention designed for cancer-free older adults was capable of eliciting and maintaining clinically meaningful functional improvements in a subgroup of cancer survivors, with similar effects to the original full sample. These findings inform the dissemination of evidence-based physical activity programs during survivorship. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT01030419. Registered 11 December 2009

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Experiences of a Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Intervention: A Nested Qualitative Study in the SITLESS Multi-Country Randomised Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4730
Author(s):  
Nicole Blackburn ◽  
Mathias Skjodt ◽  
Mark Tully ◽  
Ilona Mc Mullan ◽  
Maria Giné-Garriga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Randomised Clinical Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies ◽  
Exercise Referral

Background: The SITLESS programme comprises exercise referral schemes and self-management strategies and has been evaluated in a trial in Denmark, Spain, Germany and Northern Ireland. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the implementation and contextual aspects of the intervention in relation to the mechanisms of impact and to explore the perceived effects. Methods: Qualitative methodologies were nested in the SITLESS trial including 71 individual interviews and 12 focus groups targeting intervention and control group participants from postintervention to 18-month follow-up in all intervention sites based on a semi-structured topic guide. Results: Overarching themes were identified under the framework categories of context, implementation, mechanisms of impact and perceived effects. The findings highlight the perceived barriers and facilitators to older adults’ engagement in exercise referral schemes. Social interaction and enjoyment through the group-based programmes are key components to promote adherence and encourage the maintenance of targeted behaviours through peer support and connectedness. Exit strategies and signposting to relevant classes and facilities enabled the maintenance of positive lifestyle behaviours. Conclusions: When designing and implementing interventions, key components enhancing social interaction, enjoyment and continuity should be in place in order to successfully promote sustained behaviour change.

scholarly journals Efficacy of a computer-tailored web-based physical activity intervention using Fitbits for older adults: a randomised controlled trial protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e033305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Alley ◽  
Jannique GZ van Uffelen ◽  
Stephanie Schoeppe ◽  
Lynne Parkinson ◽  
Susan Hunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Intervention Fidelity ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Website Usability ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Tailored Advice

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

Health-related lifestyle and dropout from a web-based physical activity intervention trial in older adults: A latent profile analysis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 481-490
Author(s):  
Tiara Ratz ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage ◽  
Claudia R. Pischke ◽  
Saskia Muellmann ◽  
Manuela Peters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Intervention Trial ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Latent Profile

scholarly journals Effect of a combined programme of dietary restriction and physical activity on the physical function and body composition of obese middle-aged and older adults with knee OA (DRPA): protocol for a feasibility study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e021051
Author(s):  
Asma S Alrushud ◽  
Alison B Rushton ◽  
Gurjit Bhogal ◽  
Fraser Pressdee ◽  
Carolyn A Greig
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Dietary Restriction ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Care Programme ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Clinical Recommendation ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Musculoskeletal Function

IntroductionKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic illness among older adults. Up to the submission date of this protocol, there are no published UK studies reporting the efficacy of a combined intervention programme of physical activity and dietary restriction on the musculoskeletal function of obese older adults with knee OA in spite of the clinical recommendation for exercise and diet for people with knee OA. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a combined dietary restriction and physical activity intervention programme and collect preliminary data.Method and analysisThis single-arm intervention study is scheduled to begin in September 2017 and conclude in November 2018. It will take place at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), Birmingham and the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences (SportExR), University of Birmingham. Participants will receive a physiotherapy usual care programme for knee OA for 1 month, after which they will continue to exercise in their local gym/leisure facility for 3 months. Participants will also follow dietary restriction throughout the 4-month intervention. Mixed analysis techniques will be used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative outcome measures.Ethics and disseminationIt is approved by ROH R&D Foundation Trust and the Health Research Authority. The Consort Guidelines and checklist will be reviewed prior to generating any publications for the trial to ensure they meet the standards required for submission to high-quality peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberISRCTN12906938.

scholarly journals Social Support Patterns of Middle-Aged and Older Adults Within a Physical Activity App: Secondary Mixed Method Analysis

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/12496 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e12496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakkoyya H Lewis ◽  
Maria C Swartz ◽  
Eloisa Martinez ◽  
Elizabeth J Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
The Social ◽  
Method Analysis

Background Physical activity (PA) is critical for maintaining independence and delaying mobility disability in aging adults. However, 27 to 44% of older adults in the United States are meeting the recommended PA level. Activity trackers are proving to be a promising tool to promote PA adherence through activity tracking and enhanced social interaction features. Although social support has been known to be an influential behavior change technique to promote PA, how middle-aged and older adults use the social interaction feature of mobile apps to provide virtual support to promote PA engagement remains mostly underexplored. Objective This study aimed to describe the social support patterns of middle-aged and older adults using a mobile app as part of a behavioral PA intervention. Methods Data from 35 participants (mean age 61.66 [SD 6] years) in a 12-week, home-based activity intervention were used for this secondary mixed method analysis. Participants were provided with a Jawbone Up24 activity monitor and an Apple iPad Mini installed with the UP app to facilitate self-monitoring and social interaction. All participants were given an anonymous account and encouraged to interact with other participants using the app. Social support features included comments and likes. Thematic coding was used to identify the type of social support provided within the UP app and characterize the levels of engagement from users. Participants were categorized as superusers or contributors, and passive participants were categorized as lurkers based on the literature. Results Over the 12-week intervention, participants provided a total of 3153 likes and 1759 comments. Most participants (n=25) were contributors, with 4 categorized as superusers and 6 categorized as lurkers. Comments were coded as emotional support, informational support, instrumental support, self-talk, and other, with emotional support being the most prevalent type. Conclusions Our cohort of middle-aged and older adults was willing to use the social network feature in an activity app to communicate with anonymous peers. Most of our participants were contributors. In addition, the social support provided through the activity app followed social support constructs. In sum, PA apps are a promising tool for delivering virtual social support to enhance PA engagement and have the potential to make a widespread impact on PA promotion. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01869348; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01869348

scholarly journals What entices older adults to parks? Identification of park features that encourage park visitation, physical activity, and social interaction

2022 ◽  
Vol 217 ◽  
pp. 104254
Author(s):  
Jenny Veitch ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
Elise Rivera ◽  
Venurs Loh ◽  
Benedicte Deforche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Park Visitation

scholarly journals Social Support Patterns of Middle-Aged and Older Adults Within a Physical Activity App: Secondary Mixed Method Analysis (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakkoyya H Lewis ◽  
Maria C Swartz ◽  
Eloisa Martinez ◽  
Elizabeth J Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
The Social ◽  
Method Analysis

BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA) is critical for maintaining independence and delaying mobility disability in aging adults. However, 27 to 44% of older adults in the United States are meeting the recommended PA level. Activity trackers are proving to be a promising tool to promote PA adherence through activity tracking and enhanced social interaction features. Although social support has been known to be an influential behavior change technique to promote PA, how middle-aged and older adults use the social interaction feature of mobile apps to provide virtual support to promote PA engagement remains mostly underexplored. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the social support patterns of middle-aged and older adults using a mobile app as part of a behavioral PA intervention. METHODS Data from 35 participants (mean age 61.66 [SD 6] years) in a 12-week, home-based activity intervention were used for this secondary mixed method analysis. Participants were provided with a Jawbone Up24 activity monitor and an Apple iPad Mini installed with the UP app to facilitate self-monitoring and social interaction. All participants were given an anonymous account and encouraged to interact with other participants using the app. Social support features included comments and likes. Thematic coding was used to identify the type of social support provided within the UP app and characterize the levels of engagement from users. Participants were categorized as superusers or contributors, and passive participants were categorized as lurkers based on the literature. RESULTS Over the 12-week intervention, participants provided a total of 3153 likes and 1759 comments. Most participants (n=25) were contributors, with 4 categorized as superusers and 6 categorized as lurkers. Comments were coded as emotional support, informational support, instrumental support, self-talk, and other, with emotional support being the most prevalent type. CONCLUSIONS Our cohort of middle-aged and older adults was willing to use the social network feature in an activity app to communicate with anonymous peers. Most of our participants were contributors. In addition, the social support provided through the activity app followed social support constructs. In sum, PA apps are a promising tool for delivering virtual social support to enhance PA engagement and have the potential to make a widespread impact on PA promotion. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01869348; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01869348

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