Choose to Move for Sedentary Lifestyle

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, Under 50, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial targets older adults who aren't very active and wish to increase their physical engagement. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-month program, "Choose to Move," where participants set personal activity goals and attend group meetings, in boosting physical activity among seniors in British Columbia. The program offers flexibility, allowing activities to be chosen individually or in groups, and can be adapted for cultural or geographical needs. English or Punjabi speakers over 50 years old may be well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to valuable research that could enhance seniors' well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Choose to Move program is safe for older adults?

Research has shown that the "Choose to Move" program is one of the few health-boosting activities designed for older adults. It aims to increase physical activity, improve movement, and reduce feelings of loneliness. However, existing studies do not provide specific details about safety or how well participants handle the program.

Since the program encourages exercise and social interaction, it is likely safe for most older adults. Programs like this typically aim to improve health with minimal risk. Those considering participation should consult their doctor to ensure it suits their health needs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about "Choose to Move" because it offers a flexible, personalized approach for older adults with sedentary lifestyles. Unlike traditional exercise programs, this treatment involves a tailored action plan developed through one-on-one consultations with an activity coach, allowing participants to choose activities that match their interests and abilities. Additionally, the program fosters social connections through group meetings, which can be adapted for cultural or geographical needs, providing a supportive community environment that is often missing in standard fitness programs. This personalized and adaptable approach aims to promote sustainable physical activity, potentially leading to better long-term health outcomes for older adults.

What evidence suggests that the Choose to Move program is effective for promoting physical activity in low active older adults?

Research has shown that the "Choose to Move" program, which participants in this trial will follow, helps older adults become more active. One study found that people in the program walked an average of 779 more steps each day than those not in the program. Another study discovered that participants maintained these activity levels over time. The program also reduces feelings of loneliness by involving participants in group meetings and one-on-one talks. These findings suggest that "Choose to Move" can effectively help older adults stay active and feel more connected. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Heather McKay, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Joanie Sims Gould, MSW, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults in British Columbia who lead a sedentary lifestyle, may feel lonely or socially isolated, and have limited mobility. It's designed to help those who haven't been very active lately.

Inclusion Criteria

Central support unit staff member

I am an activity coach who speaks English.

Punjabi-speaking older adults will also be invited to participate in the evaluation if they can read English or Punjabi and/or if the activity coach or a member of the research team has the necessary language skills to ensure effective communication of the Punjabi language translated consent form and surveys.

Exclusion Criteria

My activity coach does not speak English.

I am under 50 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Consultation

Participants meet 1-on-1 with their activity coach to set goals and develop a physical activity action plan

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Group Meetings

Participants attend eight, 1-hour group-based meetings led by an activity coach, covering health-related topics and social connection

12 weeks

8 visits (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity, mobility, and social connectedness

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Choose to Move

Trial Overview The 'Choose to Move' program is being expanded across BC. It's a 3-month health-promoting initiative aimed at increasing activity levels among less active seniors by adapting the program to better serve diverse groups.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Choose to Move Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

CTM (adapted Phase 4) is a 3-month, flexible, choice-based health-promoting program for low active older adults. CTM includes: 1-on-1 Consultation: Participants meet 1-on-1 with their activity coach at the start of the program to set goals and develop a physical activity action plan tailored to their abilities, interests and resources. Older adults can choose to participate in individual or group-based activities. Group Meetings: Participants will attend eight, 1-hour group-based meetings (max of 15 participants) led by an activity coach. Meetings cover a health-related discussion topic and provide time for social connection among participants. Meetings can be held online or in-person. Community-based seniors' services organizations that deliver CTM may adapt the program (e.g., deliver in a different language, adapt for cultural or geographical factors) to fit the needs of the older adults they serve but the two components listed above will be retained.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Collaborator

Trials

51

Recruited

101,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A novel Internet-mediated, pedometer-based exercise intervention for veterans with COPD led to significant improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQL) domains, particularly in Symptoms and Impact, after 4 months.

Participants in the intervention group increased their daily step counts by an average of 779 steps compared to the control group, indicating that the program effectively encouraged physical activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Internet-Mediated Pedometer-Based Program Improves Health-Related Quality-of-Life Domains and Daily Step Counts in COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Moy, ML., Collins, RJ., Martinez, CH., et al.[2022]

The STand Up Frequently From Stroke (STUFFS) intervention, which encourages individuals to replace sedentary time with standing and walking, was feasible and well-received by participants, with 89% satisfaction and high retention rates (94.1% completion).

Participants experienced a significant reduction in sedentary time by an average of 54.2 minutes per day post-intervention, along with improvements in walking speed, cognitive function, and quality of life, indicating positive preliminary effects of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Feasibility and Longitudinal Effects of a Home-Based Sedentary Behavior Change Intervention After Stroke. Ezeugwu, VE., Manns, PJ.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7865112/

features of the Choose to Move physical activity intervention ... We collected survey data from participants (n = 458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-aging-5-2024-1428f

Choose to Move for Sedentary Lifestyle · Info for Participants Participants in the intervention group increased their daily step counts by an average of 779 steps compared to the control group, indicating that the program ...

3. journals.humankinetics.com journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/18/10/article-p1236.xml

Do Older Adults Maintain Benefits From Choose to Move ... Background: Choose to Move is one of few scaled-up health-promoting interventions for older adults. The authors evaluated whether Choose to ...

4. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10363-1

“It makes me feel not so alone”: features of the Choose to ... Are physical activity interventions for healthy inactive adults effective in promoting behavior change and maintenance, and which behavior ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11657647/

Does optimizing Choose to Move – a health-promoting ... We assessed older adults' physical activity (PA), mobility, social isolation, and loneliness before and after (0, 3 months) the program. Results.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939475325001255

A mutual interplay with early and overt frailty Sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity are strictly linked to frailty and pre-frailty, both in adults and the elderly, with or without chronic diseases.

7. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-018-6210-2

Implementation of a co-designed physical activity program for ... A partner-based health promotion intervention can be effectively implemented across settings to enhance PA, mobility and social connectedness in older adults.