Effectiveness of a Smartphone-Based Chatbot on Adherence to a Home-Based Multicomponent Exercise Program and Physical Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 入组人数
- 100
- 主要终点
- Exercise Adherence
研究概览
简要总结
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone-based chatbot in improving adherence to a 12-week home-based multicomponent exercise program in community-dwelling older adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a chatbot-supported exercise program delivered through Telegram or an equivalent paper-based exercise program. Both groups will perform the same exercise program, including strength, balance, flexibility, and walking exercises. The primary outcome is exercise adherence. Secondary outcomes include physical function, physical activity, participant satisfaction, usability of the chatbot, and adverse events. The study seeks to determine whether chatbot-based support can enhance adherence and improve health outcomes in older adults.
详细描述
Population aging is associated with declines in physical function, mobility, and independence. Home-based multicomponent exercise programs are effective strategies to maintain physical function and reduce the risk of disability in older adults; however, adherence to exercise programs remains a major challenge, particularly when exercises are performed without direct supervision. Effectiveness of a Smartphone-Based Chatbot on Adherence to a Home-Based Multicomponent Exercise Program and Physical Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial addresses this challenge by evaluating a digital intervention specifically designed to support exercise adherence.
This study is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. Participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either a chatbot-supported exercise program or a paper-based exercise program. Both groups receive the same 12-week home-based multicomponent exercise program, consisting of three exercise sessions per week. The intervention includes strength, balance, flexibility, and walking exercises with a predefined progression throughout the program.
Participants assigned to the intervention group receive exercise prescriptions through a Telegram-based chatbot. In addition to delivering the exercise program, the chatbot provides instructional videos, automated reminders, exercise monitoring, adherence tracking, scheduling adjustments, and feedback based on participants' reported exercise completion. Participants allocated to the control group receive the same exercise program in a printed booklet together with a paper calendar for recording completed sessions. Both groups receive standardized follow-up telephone calls during the intervention period.
The primary outcome is exercise adherence, defined as the percentage of prescribed exercise sessions completed during the 12-week intervention. Participants are also classified according to whether they achieve at least 80% adherence to the prescribed sessions. Secondary outcomes include physical function assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 4-meter walking test, Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Additional outcomes include physical activity measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adults (IPAQ-E), participant satisfaction, perceived usability of the chatbot, and adverse events.
The study will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of chatbot-supported exercise interventions for promoting adherence to home-based exercise programs among older adults. If effective, this approach may represent a scalable and accessible strategy to support healthy aging and the implementation of exercise programs in community settings.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and care providers could not be blinded to group allocation. Outcome assessments at baseline and post-intervention were conducted by an assessor who was blinded to treatment allocation. The allocation sequence was generated and managed by a separate investigator who was not involved in outcome assessments
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 59 Years 至 85 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older.
- •Living independently in the community.
- •Ownership and regular use of a smartphone.
- •Familiarity with at least one instant messaging application and ability to access it at least three times per week.
- •Ability to understand study procedures and instructions.
- •Ability to provide written informed consent.
- •Ability to safely perform a home-based exercise program.
排除标准
- •Absolute contraindication to physical exercise.
- •Inability to understand study instructions.
- •Inability to read and/or write.
- •Uncontrolled neurological conditions that may compromise safe participation in exercise.
- •Uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions that may compromise safe participation in exercise.
- •Any medical condition judged by the investigators to prevent safe participation in the study.
研究组 & 干预措施
Chatbot-Supported Exercise Program
Participants will receive a 12-week home-based multicomponent exercise program delivered through a Telegram-based chatbot. The program includes three exercise sessions per week consisting of strength, balance, flexibility, and walking exercises with a predefined progression. The chatbot provides exercise prescriptions, instructional videos, reminders, monitoring of exercise completion, scheduling adjustments, and automated feedback to support adherence.
干预措施: Chatbot-Supported Home-Based Exercise Program (Behavioral)
Paper-Based Exercise Program
Participants will receive a 12-week home-based multicomponent exercise program in a printed booklet. The program includes three exercise sessions per week consisting of strength, balance, flexibility, and walking exercises with a predefined progression. Participants will also receive a paper calendar to record exercise completion. No chatbot-based reminders, monitoring, or automated feedback will be provided. Participants will receive the same exercise content, dosage, and progression as the experimental group.
干预措施: Paper-Based Home Exercise Program Mostrar más líneas (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Exercise Adherence
时间窗: 12 weeks
Exercise adherence will be measured as the percentage of the 36 prescribed exercise sessions completed during the 12-week intervention period. Adherence will be calculated from participant exercise records and expressed as a continuous percentage value.
次要结局
- Adherent Participants(12 weeks)
- Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)(Baseline and 12 weeks)
- Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)(Baseline and 12 weeks)
- Physical Activity Level(Baseline and 12 weeks)
- Participant Satisfaction(12 weeks)
- Chatbot Usability(12 weeks)
研究者
CARMEN GARCÍA GOMARIZ
Associate professor of Infirmary
University of Valencia