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Promoting Walking in Older Adults Living in Independent Living Communities in Northern Ireland: A Feasibility Study.

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Physical Activity
Health Behaviour
Social Isolation
Aging
Interventions
Behavioral: The friendly walking group
Registration Number
NCT02596672
Lead Sponsor
Queen's University, Belfast
Brief Summary

The multi-level 12 week peer-led walking intervention incorporates aspects from all three levels of the ecological model (with the aim of producing sustained (\>6months) physical activity behaviour change in older adults living in independent living communities.

Detailed Description

The proposed study is a cluster randomized controlled feasibility trial of a multi-level peer-led walking intervention. The socio-ecological model and social cognitive theory provides the framework that will help inform and test the feasibility of a multi-level peer-led walking intervention for inactive older adults living in independent living communities in Northern Ireland. The behaviour change techniques identified and extracted from a previous systematic review on the effectiveness of peer-led physical activity interventions helped guide the decision-making process of which behavior change strategies should be included in this study. The logic model helped inform the design and development of the 12 week peer-led walking programme.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Adults over the age of 60 years recruited from fold housing associations, dependent on site; those receiving nursing care will not be included.
  2. Inactive/not regularly walking (less than 30 minutes
  3. Have the ability to read, write, understand and speak English.
  4. Can walk freely without human assistance (residents will be included they use a walking stick/walking aid.)
Exclusion Criteria
  1. If they have fallen in the last 6 months
  2. Have regular nursing assistance/care within the fold
  3. Residents with dementia or other cognitive challenges will be excluded.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
InterventionThe friendly walking groupThey will complete a 12-week peer-led walking programme. Participants will be paired together as walking partners and will be given a pedometer and step count logs for self-monitoring. The walking co-ordinators will facilitate walking groups two times a week in the local areas, lasting for 30 minutes. The nature of the walks will be tailored to the participants stated preferences of types of activity. Participants will also receive local walking route maps. After 12 weeks, the formal peer-led component will finish and participants will be encouraged to continue walking with their walking partners other activity programmes organised in the fold in order to maintain activity levels.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)Baseline, 12 weeks and 6 months

Changes from baseline MVPA as assessed by Actigraph accelerometer

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Physical and Mental HealthBaseline, 12 weeks and 6 months

Changes in other health-related and well-being outcomes will include completing the (7 item) Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being score.

Social EngagementBaseline, 12 weeks and 6 months

Changes in social engagement will be measured using the Lubben social network scale

Self-efficacyBaseline, 12 weeks and 6 months

Changes in self-efficacy will be measured using a short version of exercise behaviour self-confidence questionnaire.

Quality of LifeBaseline, 12 weeks and 6 months

To explore changes in health-related quality of life, a validated self-reported questionnaire EuroQol-5D will be completed by study participants.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast

🇬🇧

Belfast, United Kingdom

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