Effectiveness of the On the Move Group Exercise Program to Improve Mobility in Community-dwelling Older Adults

Not Applicable

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: Mobility Limitation
• Interventions: Behavioral: On the Move group exercise

• Registration Number: NCT05126355
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of On the Move (OTM) in terms of improving mobility among 502 older adults in 44 senior community centers and to evaluate intervention fidelity, including adherence and competence, and the impact of organizational, instructor, and participant level factors on intervention fidelity.

Detailed Description

The investigators will conduct a Hybrid I trial, blending effectiveness and implementation research aims to: test the effectiveness of OTM, evaluate intervention fidelity, and determine the extent intervention fidelity moderates intervention effectiveness. The investigators will evaluate the effects of OTM taught by community instructors for improving mobility among 502 older adults in 44 community centers using a cluster randomized design with a delayed intervention control arm. Intervention fidelity will be assessed by instructor self-report (intervention diaries) and observation (fidelity checklist). Organizational, instructor, and participant level factors which may impact fidelity will be assessed via standard instruments, focus groups and interviews.

Specific Aims are as follows:

Aim 1: Establish the effectiveness of OTM on improvements in walking ability and post-intervention persistence of benefits.

Rationale: OTM delivered by research staff is effective. Establishing the effectiveness of OTM delivered by community instructors is necessary before wide-scale implementation.

Hypothesis: Compared to a randomized control group followed for 12 weeks, the OTM group will have greater gains in gait speed (primary outcome) and self-reported mobility at 12 and 24 weeks of follow-up.

Aim 2: Assess intervention fidelity (measures of adherence and competence) and identify the impact of organizational, instructor, and participant level factors on intervention fidelity.

Rationale: To inform future implementation efforts, it is critical to measure intervention fidelity and to identify factors associated with fidelity.

Hypothesis: Organizational, instructor, and participant level factors will impact fidelity. For example, instructors who utilize greater facilitation strategies will have higher fidelity, poor organizational acceptance of the program will be related to lower fidelity, and fewer organizational resources will lead to lower fidelity.

Aim 3: Determine the extent to which intervention fidelity, measured by adherence and competence, moderates the effectiveness of OTM.

Rationale: Intervention fidelity may influence the effectiveness of OTM. Understanding the consequences of differing levels of intervention fidelity on effectiveness will inform future implementation efforts.

Hypothesis: Higher fidelity will be associated with greater mobility gains, and there may be critical fidelity thresholds.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-11-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-11-15
• Study First Posted: 2021-11-19
• Study Start: 2022-06-23
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-07
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-10
• Primary Completion: 2025-10-29
• Study Completion: 2026-08-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 502

Inclusion Criteria

• 60 years of age or older
• attend the senior center
• can ambulate household distances independently
• can participate in group exercise classes

Exclusion Criteria

• impaired cognition (unable to understand consent process)
• plans to leave the area for an extended period of time
• any acute or unstable illness or medical condition

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
On the Move	On the Move group exercise	On the Move group exercise program to improve walking. Delivered twice per week for 12 weeks.
On the Move - Delayed	On the Move group exercise	Individuals in this arm will be placed on a wait-list for 12 weeks and will receive no intervention during this time. At the end of the 12 weeks they will receive the On the Move group exercise program. This is a wait-list control group.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Gait speed	24 weeks	The time it take the subject to walk 4 meters and their usual walking speed. Recorded as m/s. Faster speeds indicate better mobility.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) mobility	24 weeks	The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - mobility measure is 15 item scale to assess self-reported perceptions of mobility. A single mobility score is obtained from the short form, with higher scores indicating better mobility.
Participant Satisfaction	immediately post intervention	Participant satisfaction will be assessed using a survey that includes five items measured on a Likert scale and three yes/no questions. The Likert items assess degree of satisfaction with various components of the exercise program (i.e. the exercises, instructor, music, space, and the overall program). The yes/no questions assess if the program met the participants' expectations, if they feel they benefited from the program, and if they would recommend the program to others.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pittsburgh; 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States