Delivering a Tai Chi Intervention to Adults Aging with Mobility Disabilities Using Zoom

Many individuals aging with mobility disabilities experience barriers to participating in physical activity, including transportation challenges and the need for specialized instruction. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, these participation barriers have been amplified due to lockdowns and restrictions. Tele-technologies, including videoconferencing platforms like Zoom, can facilitate access to exercise classes from one’s home. Virtual group exercise classes that incorporate social interaction have particular potential to support the physical and mental health of this population. This session will highlight lessons learned from launching the ‘Tele Tai Chi’ study, in which we are delivering an evidence-based Tai Chi program (Tai Chi for Arthritis) via Zoom to small group classes of older adults with long-term mobility disabilities. We will describe adaptations made in translating the in-person program to an interactive, online class, and provide an overview of a ‘Telewellness’ Tool that provides guidelines for using Zoom to deliver exercise classes to older adults.

Physical Activity Programming for Older Adults in Assisted Living: Contextual Factors to Consider

Sedentary behavior may adversely affect physical and cognitive health of older adults in assisted living (AL). Replacing sedentary behavior with light physical activity (PA) could help them maintain functional abilities and independence. We interviewed AL residents to obtain their guidance regarding the implementation of an intervention to reduce sedentary behavior. Here we report the results of a thematic analysis exploring contextual factors that may influence intervention implementation. We interviewed 20 residents (mean age 83.1; 60% women) and identified 7 themes. The first was attitudes and beliefs about PA. Most residents believed PA was important, but some lacked motivation or confidence to perform PA. Another theme was attitudes and beliefs about aging, as some residents felt discouraged about aging and uncertainty about how much PA they could safely perform. Abilities of AL residents was seen as an important consideration. It was noted that residents have a wide range of abilities and this could present challenges in planning a PA program appropriate for all residents. Social influences for PA should be considered, as residents may find encouragement from family or other residents. Space for being active is another factor because it is typically limited within AL. We found that some residents wanted more challenging exercise classes than currently provided by their facility. Finally, residents described limited opportunities for PA due to the nature of the AL environment. This thematic analysis brings attention to important factors that could influence the implementation of PA interventions with the AL population.

Meet Caregivers Where They Are: A Remote Intervention Connecting Caregivers to Community Resources

Informal caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are a vulnerable, often isolated population with high rates of financial strain and need for community resource supports. Little is known about how best to connect these caregivers to resources, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. CommunityRx-Caregiver is an evidence-based intervention that connects caregivers to community resources for basic needs, wellness, and caregiving. Using preliminary data from a randomized trial of CommunityRx-Caregiver (N=344), we examined caregivers’ baseline confidence in finding community resources and their engagement in the CommunityRx-Caregiver intervention. Caregivers enrolled December 2020-February 2021 (n=26) received (1) personalized lists of community resources via text message (HealtheRx), (2) access to an online resource portal (FindRx) and (3) automated texts offering support for finding resources. Most caregivers were female (65%), Black (92%), >60 years old (64%) and 44% reported very good or excellent health. Nearly half of caregivers (46%) were completely confident in finding community resources. Overall, 81% of caregivers engaged with a text message or the FindRx. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of caregivers responded to at least one text message. More than a quarter (27%) used the FindRx tool; 5/7 of those shared FindRx resources with others. Caregivers sought resources including in-home personal care, exercise classes and support groups. Caregivers of people with ADRD, many of whom had low confidence in finding resources, engaged with a multi-modal information technology-based intervention to obtain community resource support. These preliminary findings suggest caregivers were receptive to a remotely-delivered community referral intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delivering Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Virtually Using a Digital Health Platform (ECME-CR): Protocol for a Pilot Trial

Background Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is recognized as a core component of cardiovascular disease management and has been shown to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and reduce the risk of hospital readmission following a cardiac event. However, despite this, the uptake of and long-term adherence to cardiac rehabilitation exercise is poor. Delivering cardiac rehabilitation exercise virtually (ie, allowing patients to participate from their own homes) may be an alternative approach that could enhance uptake and increase adherence. Objective The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of delivering a virtual cardiac rehabilitation exercise program supported by the Eastern Corridor Medical Engineering – Cardiac Rehabilitation (ECME-CR) platform. Methods A convenience sample (n=20) of participants eligible to participate in community-based cardiac rehabilitation exercise will be recruited. Participants will be randomized to one of two study groups. Both study groups will perform the same exercise program, consisting of twice-weekly sessions of 60 minutes each, over an 8-week intervention period. Participants in the intervention group will partake in virtually delivered cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes in their own home. The virtual exercise classes will be delivered to participants using a videoconferencing platform. Participants in the control group will attend the research center for their cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes. Intervention group participants will receive the ECME-CR digital health platform for monitoring during the class and during the intervention period. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and following the 8-week intervention period. The primary outcome will be exercise capacity as assessed using the 6-minute walk test. Other outcome measures will include heart rate, blood pressure, weight, percentage body fat, muscle strength, and self-reported quality of life. Semistructured interviews will also be conducted with a subset of participants to explore their experiences of using the digital platform. Results Participant recruitment and data collection will begin in July 2021, and it is anticipated that the study results will be available for dissemination in spring 2022. Conclusions This pilot trial will inform the design of a randomized controlled trial that will assess the clinical effectiveness of the ECME-CR digital health platform. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/31855

Health and recreational motional activity of elderly people in different countries of the world

The article considers and collects material from both international research and domestic sources that reflect the health and recreational physical activity of the elderly in Europe and the whole world as well as the motives for involvement in this age group. The results of the analysis of the questionnaire, which assessed the involvement of the elderly showed low health and recreational physical activity in different countries, ranging from 10 to 80%, and the activity of men is higher than women. About 40% of the population of the Netherlands and Germany are engaged in physical activity, and as for Belgium, France, Sweden, the indicator is less than 20%. In Spain, Finland, Canada, and the United Kingdom, government programs implemented in 13 pilot regions of the country over four years indicated a threefold increase in the number of seniors who regularly attend group exercise classes. In the United States, the population that is systematically engaged in physical activity is dominated by the population of Euros and Latinos, but African Americans are less active - up to 6%. In African countries physical activity is being decreased among the adult population. The main reasons for that include lack of knowledge of citizens about classes, poor promotion of programs among the population. The survey of the Chinese population on regular exercise during the week of the elderly in the range of 60-69 years showed 11.8%. According to research in Ukraine, only 17% of people of retirement age go in for exercise or sports

Role of Employee Behaviour and Job Stress on Work-Life Balance: A Case of HEIs of Pakistan

The study aims to identify how workplace stress and employee behaviour impair the work-life balance of faculty members of Higher Education Institutes in Karachi, Pakistan. This study has included a quantitative survey research design. The study collected 386 sample responses from faculty members using the purposive sampling technique. The PLS-SEM analysis was used for data analysis through SmartPLS version 3.2.9. The results have shown that employee behaviour has a positive and significant effect on ER, IR, and WLB; workplace stress has a positive and significant effect on anxiety; workplace stress has a positive and significant effect on time stress, and workplace stress has a negative and significant effect on work-life balance. Furthermore, the study recommends using person-centered stress management techniques for possible work-life stress and employee well-being. Offering relaxation/care exercise classes, enabling wellness, and supplying facilities, such as gymnasiums, encouraging safe living, healthy eating options, and providing guidance are just a few examples. This study is significant for employee’s well-being because the findings will allow them to understand and negotiate their roles throughout the family and work-life. By understanding the importance of WLB, employees would be able to introspect themselves to cope with their job and relationship management. Similarly, management can identify career stages and help employees with the development tasks they experience at each stage. Lastly, the study implications accentuate that by formulating appropriate strategies, management can help employees and retain them as essential organizational assets.

Online Exercise Classes during the COVID-19 Related Lockdown in Germany: Use and Attitudes

Lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to reductions in physical activity (PA) worldwide. Leading public health organizations have recommended the use of online exercise classes (OEC) to compensate the loss of regular exercise classes. As of now, no data are available on the uptake of OEC and on users’ attitudes. The aim of the current online survey was to assess the use of and attitudes towards OEC in Germany. Respondents indicated awareness and use of OEC, and levels of agreement with statements on OEC. Frequency of awareness and use of OEC according to PA status were calculated with contingency tables and the Χ2 test. Differences between users and non-users were tested with the Student’s t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Data on attitudes are presented as percentages, and Spearman correlations were calculated between attitudes and activity status, frequency of use, educational attainment, age and body mass index. A total of 979 datasets were analyzed. Of the respondents, 681 were aware of and 180, 118 and 84 used them <1 per week, 1–2 per week and ≥3 per week, respectively. Significantly more active respondents were aware of and used OEC compared to less active respondents. All in all, regular OEC use was quite limited. OEC was differentially attractive to people according to PA status, frequency of use, BMI and age. Tailoring OEC to current non-users and adding motivational support might enhance the regular use of OEC.