Church-Based Physical Activity Program for Physical Function Limitations

Overseen By Elizabeth M Lynch, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rush University Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Severe cognitive impairment, Psychiatric treatment, Heart failure, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

360 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a 12-month multi-level behavioral cluster randomized trial testing a church-based intervention to improve physical function (PF) in Americans with PF limitations.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Go 4 Life Self Guided Education, Go4Life, Go for Life, Keep it Movin'?

Research shows that physical activity programs, like Go 4 Life, can help older adults improve their physical function and independence. Programs that include endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training are particularly beneficial for health and functional benefits, and can help prevent chronic diseases and improve quality of life. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Church-Based Physical Activity Program safe for participants?

The research articles reviewed do not provide specific safety data for the Church-Based Physical Activity Program or its related names. However, these programs are generally designed to promote physical activity in a supportive community setting, which is typically safe for most participants. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

How is the Go 4 Life Self Guided Education, Keep it Movin' treatment different from other treatments for physical function limitations?

The Go 4 Life Self Guided Education, Keep it Movin' treatment is unique because it is a church-based program that combines physical activity with social support from a faith community, which can enhance motivation and adherence. This approach leverages the community setting to promote holistic health, addressing both physical and emotional well-being, unlike traditional exercise programs that may not incorporate spiritual or community elements. ^{2 5 7 8 10}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for African American adults aged 40 or older with mobility limitations and at least two chronic conditions like heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes. They must be able to walk unassisted, speak and read English, attend a participating church in certain Illinois counties, and be safe to start exercising.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants (Individual-level): Age 40 or older, Have mobility limitations (defined as SPPB score of ≤9), Have ≥ 2 of the following conditions: heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, or BMI ≥ 30, Ambulatory, defined as able to get out of a chair and walk without assistance without using a straight cane, Able to speak and read English, Attend recruitment church, Safe to begin an exercise program, which will be determined using the Exercise Assessment and Screening for You (EASY) Tool.

Churches (Community-level): Membership of 300 or more adults, Predominantly African American congregants, Located in Cook, Lake, Dupage, Will, McHenry, Kane, or Kendall counties

Exclusion Criteria

Participants (Individual-level): Severe cognitive impairment, defined as five or more errors on the Short-Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, Unable to consistently attend group classes at a scheduled time due to lack of reliable transportation, schedule conflicts, travel, plans to relocate, upcoming surgery, etc., Participating in a medically supervised rehabilitation program such as cardiac rehab, Inpatient treatment for a psychiatric condition within the past 6 months, or currently receiving treatment for schizophrenia or other serious psychiatric illness, Contraindications to exercise determined using the EASY/healthcare follow-up, Congestive heart failure New York Health Association (NYHA) Class I or higher; unstable angina; heart attack or stroke within past 6 months, Visual or hearing impairment.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in a church-based intervention to improve physical function

12 months

Regular church-based sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical function, physical activity, social support, self-efficacy, and quality of life

12 months

Measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Go 4 Life Self Guided Education
• Keep it Movin'

Trial Overview The study tests a church-based program called 'Keep it Movin'' against a self-guided education program 'Go 4 Life' over 12 months. It aims to see which one better improves physical function in participants with existing health issues.

Participant Groups

Group I: Keep it Movin' Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Go 4 Life Self Guided Education Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rush University Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

448

Recruited

247,000+

Findings from Research

Healthcare providers should actively promote physical activity among frail older adults, emphasizing that any level of activity is better than being sedentary.

Counseling should be personalized to each patient's health status and include ongoing discussions about 'functional fitness' to help older adults perform daily tasks more easily.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prescribing physical activity for older adults. Ross, KM., Teasdale, TA.[2018]

A multidimensional physical activity program that includes endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training is essential for older adults, especially those with chronic diseases, to improve health and functional abilities.

Implementing behavior change principles, such as social support and gradual intensity increase, enhances adherence to physical activity, making it safer and more effective for older adults to maintain independence and quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity programs and behavior counseling in older adult populations. [2019]

The ALLFIT program, which combines individual coaching, fitness training, and self-management courses, effectively empowers elderly individuals with chronic diseases, as demonstrated by 99% of participants setting personal goals.

Among the first 100 participants, 21% improved their walking ability and 25% enhanced their stair-climbing skills, highlighting the program's positive impact on physical fitness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Can empowerment of elderly with chronic disease be achieved in Switzerland? First results of the ALLFIT program in Zurich]. Wettstein, A., Baldegger, E., Weber, M., et al.[2008]

Over 60% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, which increases their risk for chronic diseases, highlighting the urgent need for effective weight management strategies.

Brief physician interventions (3-5 minutes) discussing the benefits of physical activity can significantly encourage overweight patients to adopt healthier lifestyles, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise for weight loss and overall health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Counseling for physical activity in overweight and obese patients. McInnis, KJ., Franklin, BA., Rippe, JM.[2007]

The Strong for Life exercise program was successfully implemented with 105 frail, homebound older adults, showing high satisfaction rates of 100% among volunteers and 98.6% among participants after 4 months.

Participants engaged in exercise an average of 2.2 times per week, with over half exercising 2 to 4 times weekly, leading to significant improvements in social functioning without any serious adverse events reported.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of implementing the Strong for Life program in community settings. Etkin, CD., Prohaska, TR., Harris, BA., et al.[2019]

Churches that implemented a behavior change class saw significant increases in the percentage of participants meeting physical activity recommendations, highlighting the effectiveness of structured programs in promoting health.

Despite some church leaders discussing physical activity and diet, many did not actively participate in the programs, and changes in church leadership did not significantly impact physical activity outcomes, suggesting that consistent leadership support may be crucial for program success.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of a faith-based physical activity intervention: insights from church health directors. Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., Laken, M., et al.[2021]

The Faithfully Fit Forever (FFF) program, developed in 2000 by MeritCare Health System, is a holistic wellness initiative designed for older adults, integrating physical exercise, health education, and spiritual support within a faith community.

Led by laypeople, including parish nurses, the program emphasizes the importance of social support in promoting health and managing chronic conditions, making it an effective model for community-based health promotion.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Faithfully fit forever: a holistic exercise and wellness program for faith communities. White, JA., Drechsel, J., Johnson, J.[2006]

Physical activity interventions delivered in faith-based organizations can effectively increase physical activity levels and improve health and fitness measures among participants, as shown in a review of 18 studies predominantly involving female participants in the U.S.

Despite the positive outcomes, the overall quality of the evidence was very low, highlighting the need for more rigorous randomized clinical trials to better evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical Activity Interventions in Faith-Based Organizations: A Systematic Review. Tristão Parra, M., Porfírio, GJM., Arredondo, EM., et al.[2019]

An 8-week, no-cost Internet-based intervention aimed at increasing physical activity was successfully piloted in an African American church, leading to increased activity levels and reduced sitting time.

This approach highlights the potential of using culturally relevant settings, like churches, to promote health behavior changes in minority populations, addressing the public health issue of physical inactivity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

USING THE Internet TO INCREASE Physical Activity IN A FAITH COMMUNITY. Washington, E., Weed, LD., Vardaman, SA.[2022]

The pilot faith-based physical activity intervention significantly increased awareness of health benefits and knowledge of physical activity recommendations among Latino participants, with 66% of intervention participants citing health reasons for participation compared to only 36% in the comparison group.

The study highlighted both successes and challenges in implementation, indicating that while the intervention was effective in improving knowledge, there were communication issues and difficulties in reaching a broader audience within the church community.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A faith-based physical activity intervention for Latinos: outcomes and lessons. Bopp, M., Fallon, EA., Marquez, DX.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prescribing physical activity for older adults. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity programs and behavior counseling in older adult populations. [2019]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Can empowerment of elderly with chronic disease be achieved in Switzerland? First results of the ALLFIT program in Zurich]. [2008]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Counseling for physical activity in overweight and obese patients. [2007]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of implementing the Strong for Life program in community settings. [2019]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of a faith-based physical activity intervention: insights from church health directors. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Faithfully fit forever: a holistic exercise and wellness program for faith communities. [2006]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical Activity Interventions in Faith-Based Organizations: A Systematic Review. [2019]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

USING THE Internet TO INCREASE Physical Activity IN A FAITH COMMUNITY. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A faith-based physical activity intervention for Latinos: outcomes and lessons. [2021]