Physical Activity to Improve Physical Function in a Community-Based Health Ministry

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Aging; Mobility Limitation
• Interventions: Behavioral: Physical Activity

• Registration Number: NCT04203030
• Lead Sponsor: Rush University Medical Center

Brief Summary

This study is being conducted to test if a program with physical activity and learning about movement (including goal setting, benefits of physical activity, and how to increase physical activity gradually) helps people to become more active and to move better. The physical activity program involves specific exercises done in a group setting, and the education part will involve learning about different ways to move to make everyday activities easier. The program will last 16 weeks. This program will take place in a large fellowship area of a partner church through an established community-based participatory research partnership in Chicago, IL.

Detailed Description

Limitations in physical function (PF) are related to decreased quality of life and are predictive of disability, nursing home admission, increased healthcare costs, and mortality in older adults. Structured physical activity has been shown to prevent mobility disability among those with physical function limitations, though community-based programs are needed, particularly in underserved communities. The purpose of this study is to pilot test a tailored physical activity intervention in churches in Chicago's West Side through an existing community-based participatory research partnership. The investigators previously found high rates of physical function limitations in these communities, and through qualitative research have identified intervention components that may aid in promoting physical activity among community members with physical function limitations. The primary aim is test the intervention in a 16 week, proof-of-concept study in 20 participants who are ambulatory but have PF limitations. The group-based physical activity intervention will take place in a large common area of a church. For feasibility the investigators will be testing the intervention in one church. The intervention will be delivered over 16 weeks, with assessments at baseline and 16 weeks.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-12-16
• Study First Submitted: 2019-12-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-12-17
• Study First Posted: 2019-12-18
• Primary Completion: 2020-09-04
• Study Completion: 2020-09-04
• Status Verified: 2021-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-03-08
• Last Update Posted: 2021-03-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 15

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age 40 or older
2. Not currently participating in another formal exercise program and perform less than 150 minutes per week of exercise
3. Ambulatory, defined as able to get out of a chair and walk without assistance aside from using a straight cane.
4. Have any difficulty: Walking ¼ mile, (about 2-3 blocks) OR Walking up 10 steps without resting
5. Speak English
6. Safe to begin an exercise program (determined using the Exercise Assessment and Screening for You (EASY) Tool. Physician clearance may be needed based upon EASY Screening recommendations

Exclusion Criteria

1. Severe cognitive impairment, defined as five or more errors on the Short-Portable Mental Status Questionnaire

2. Plans to move out of the geographic area during the study period

3. Plans to have major surgery within the study period Anticipate having major schedule changes that would interfere with ability to participate in the program.

4. Inability to get to intervention location on a weekly basis

5. Unwilling to commit to a weekly, approximately 90 minute program for 16 weeks.

6. Contraindications to exercise determined using the EASY/healthcare follow-up.

7. Self-reported

   • Heart disease
   • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
   • Pacemaker
   • Stroke within past 12 months
   • Severe chronic lung disease (emphysema or COPD)
   • Recent healing or unhealed fractures in the past 6 months
   • Heart failure
   • Chronic kidney disease

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Physical Activity	Physical Activity	16 week physical activity intervention

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical Function	16 weeks	Change in Short Physical Performance Battery score Scale ranges from 0-12 (integers only) with higher scores indicating better function.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical Activity (Objective)	16 weeks	Change in accelerometer measured physical activity (minutes of moderate/vigorous physical activity per day, and number of steps per day). Accelerometer will be worn for 1 full week at the hip but removed for sleep at night). Higher positive values of change indicate larger increases in physical activity.
Physical Activity (Self-Reported)	16 weeks	Change in physical activity as assessed by the Champs physical activity. questionnaire. Activity will be expressed as caloric expenditure/week in all exercise-related activities (in calories per week). Higher positive values of change indicate larger increases in physical activity.
Acceptability of intervention:	16 weeks	Acceptability questionnaire specific to intervention, attendance (% of sessions attended out of 16 total)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rush University Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Chicago, Illinois, United States