scholarly journals “It makes me feel not so alone”: Features of the Choose to Move physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Baseline Factors ◽  
Meaningful Interaction

Abstract Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and loneliness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) to describe factors within CTM components most likely to promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness.Methods:  CTM is a flexible, scalable, community-based health promoting physical activity intervention for older adults. Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults to understand how CTM facilitated or impeded their PA and social connectedness.Results: PA increased significantly from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased significantly from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained significantly above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Factors within CTM components that promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: Health promoting interventions that focus on PA and social connectedness through group-based activities can effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Given the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ that plagues many countries currently, these kinds of interventions are timely and important. Research that further delineates mechanisms (e.g., sharing experiences vs. lectures), that modify the effect of an intervention on social connectedness outcomes for older adults engaged in community-based PA programs would be a welcome addition to the literature.

scholarly journals “It makes me feel not so alone”: features of the Choose to Move physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Baseline Factors ◽  
Meaningful Interaction

Abstract Background Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and loneliness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) to describe factors within CTM components most likely to promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness. Methods CTM is a flexible, scalable, community-based health promoting physical activity intervention for older adults. Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n = 458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults to understand how CTM facilitated or impeded their PA and social connectedness. Results PA increased significantly from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased significantly from 3 to 6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained significantly above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Factors within CTM components that promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability. Conclusion Health promoting interventions that focus on PA and social connectedness through group-based activities can effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Given the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ that plagues many countries currently, these kinds of interventions are timely and important. Research that further delineates mechanisms (e.g., sharing experiences vs. lectures), that modify the effect of an intervention on social connectedness outcomes for older adults engaged in community-based PA programs would be a welcome addition to the literature.

scholarly journals "It makes me feel not so alone”: Features of a physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults. A Choose to Move study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Baseline Factors ◽  
Meaningful Interaction

Abstract Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and loneliness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) to describe factors within CTM components most likely to promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness.Methods:  Choose to Move is a flexible, scalable, community-based health promoting physical activity intervention for older adults. Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults at baseline (n=43), mid-intervention (n=38) and post-intervention (n=19).Results: PA increased significantly from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased significantly from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained significantly above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Factors within CTM components that promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: Health promoting interventions that focus on PA and social connectedness through group-based activities can effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Given the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ that plagues many countries currently, these kinds of interventions are timely and important. Research that clearly delineates mechanisms that modify the effect of an intervention on social connectedness outcomes for older adults engaged in community-based PA programs would be a welcome addition to the literature.

scholarly journals Choose to Move: A Health Promoting Physical Activity Intervention Can Also Enhance Social Connectedness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Meaningful Interaction ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and social connectedness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) describe features of CTM that promote social connectedness.Methods:  Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults at baseline (n=43), mid-intervention (n=38) and post-intervention (n=19).Results: PA increased from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Features of CTM that influence social connectedness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: PA interventions that focus on social connectedness, through group-based activities can improve the health of older adults by addressing both loneliness and PA. Building social connectedness within a PA intervention for older adults may support long term changes in PA behaviours.

scholarly journals Effects of Endurance-Focused Physical Activity Interventions on Brain Health

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Halloway ◽  
JoEllen Wilbur ◽  
Michael E. Schoeny ◽  
Konstantinos Arfanakis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Neurocognitive Measures ◽  
The Brain

Physical activity intervention studies that focus on improving cognitive function in older adults have increasingly used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures in addition to neurocognitive measures to assess effects on the brain. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the effects of endurance-focused physical activity randomized controlled trial (RCT) interventions on the brain as measured by MRI in community-dwelling middle-aged or older adults without cognitive impairment. Five electronic databases were searched. The final sample included six studies. None of the studies reported racial or ethnic characteristics of the participants. All studies included neurocognitive measures in addition to MRI. Five of the six interventions included laboratory-based treadmill or supervised bike exercise sessions, while one included community-based physical activity. Physical activity measures were limited to assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness and, in one study, pedometer. Due to the lack of adequate data reported, effect sizes were calculated for only one study for MRI measures and two studies for neurocognitive measures. Effect sizes ranged from d = .2 to .3 for MRI measures and .2 to .32 for neurocognitive measures. Findings of the individual studies suggest that MRI measures may be more sensitive to the effects of physical activity than neurocognitive measures. Future studies are needed that include diverse, community-based participants, direct measures of physical activity, and complete reporting of MRI and neurocognitive findings.

scholarly journals LONELINESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER AGE: RESULTS OF THE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION FOR LONELINESS (PAIL) IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
Anastasia Shvedko
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Study objective. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of a Physical Activity Intervention for Loneliness (PAIL) in community-dwelling older adults at risk of loneliness. Methods. Study design was a 12-week randomized controlled feasibility trial (RCT). Participants were 25 (mean age 68.5(8.05) years, range 60-92) healthy, inactive, community-dwelling older adults at risk for loneliness. The intervention consisted of group outdoor walking sessions with health education workshops once weekly, with a wait-list control condition. Estimation of recruitment, retention and adherence were feasibility outcomes. Body mass index, blood pressure, physical activity, and psychosocial variables were secondary outcomes. Results. Forty-eight participants were recruited over 4 months with a recruitment rate of 52.1% (25/48); 52% (25/48) met the inclusion criteria and 100% (25/25) were randomized into the intervention (N=12) and wait-listed (WL) control groups (N=13). At 12 weeks, 10/12 (83.3%; 95% CI 55.20 to 95.30) intervention and 10/13 (76.9%; 95% CI 49.74 to 91.82) control participants completed final assessments. The average attendance rate was 69.2% for the intervention group (range 25% – 91.7%) and 55% (range 25% – 91.7%) among controls. The a priori recruitment criteria for progression was not met. The retention rate satisfied the criteria of the study. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions. Community-dwelling older adults at risk of loneliness can safely participate in physical activity intervention for loneliness. However, to progress into a large-scale RCT, the design and methodology would need to be changed.

Status Quo or Drop-Off: Do Older Adults Maintain Benefits From Choose to Move—A Scaled-Up Physical Activity Program—12 Months After Withdrawing From the Intervention?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Heather A. McKay ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Heather M. Macdonald ◽  
Karim M. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
Baseline Values

Background: Choose to Move is one of few scaled-up health-promoting interventions for older adults. The authors evaluated whether Choose to Move participants maintained their intervention-related gains in physical activity (PA), mobility, and social connectedness 12 months after the intervention ended. Methods: The authors assessed PA, mobility, loneliness, social isolation, and muscle strength via questionnaire and objective measures in 235 older adults at 0 months (baseline), 6 months (end of intervention), and 18 months (12-months postintervention). The authors fitted linear mixed models to examine the change in each outcome from 6 to 18 months (primary objective) and 0 to 18 months (secondary objective) and reported by age group (60–74 and ≥75 y). Results: In younger participants, PA decreased between 6 and 18 months, but remained significantly higher than at baseline. Intervention-related benefits in loneliness, social isolation, mobility, and muscle strength were maintained between 6 and 18 months in the younger participants. Older participants maintained their intervention benefits in loneliness, mobility, and muscle strength. When compared with baseline values, PA levels in older participants were unchanged, whereas social isolation increased. Conclusions: Older adults maintained some, but not all, health benefits of Choose to Move 12 months after the intervention ended. Long-term commitments are needed to deliver effective health-promoting interventions for older adults if benefits are to be maintained.

scholarly journals Physical activity and associated medical cost savings among at-risk older adults participating a community-based health & wellness program

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. e0198239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel D. Towne ◽  
Yajuan Li ◽  
Shinduk Lee ◽  
Matthew Lee Smith ◽  
Gang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Medical Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Community Based

scholarly journals CHOOSE TO MOVE: IMPLEMENTATION OF A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION AT SCALE ACROSS BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S122-S122
Author(s):  
Joanie Sims Gould ◽  
Heather McKay ◽  
Samantha Gray ◽  
Adrian Bauman ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Positive Health

Abstract Despite the many benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults remain among the least active Canadians. Regular PA effectively enhances social connectedness which in turn, is linked to positive health benefits. PA also promotes older adult’s physical mobility which is “the best guarantee of retaining independence and being able to cope” in later years. Although effective PA interventions exist, all but five were conducted at small scale. None were effectively scaled up and sustained over the longer term. To improve population health, effective interventions must be scaled-up. In 2015, BC Ministry of Health released a PA strategy and action plan--older adults were identified as one priority area. In partnership with government and community stakeholders we were entrusted to co-design, implement and evaluate a 6 month, evidence- and choice-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) across BC, Canada. Implementation and adaptation frameworks and processes we adopted were embedded within socioecological models. We evaluated CTM at scale-up in 26 communities with 458 low active older adults. Our implementation evaluation showed that relationships and infrastructure were key facilitators to delivering CTM at scale. Our impact evaluation showed that PA and social connectedness were enhanced; mental health (loneliness/happiness), grip strength and mobility all improved following participation in CTM. A flexible, adaptable PA model, designed with scalability in mind is key to enhance health indicators in low active older adults. Effectively engaging stakeholders at multiple levels in the implementation process is essential to success.

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