Health Coaching for Healthy Aging

Overseen By Kathleen Potempa, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Recent ER visit, New major health problem, Incurable illness, Memory issues, others

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

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 20 weeks

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help older adults remain healthy and independent at home longer through nurse-led health coaching. The program focuses on enhancing self-care skills, motivation, and health-related decision-making. It seeks participants who have a computer or tablet with internet access and can use video chat, such as Zoom, in a private space. Ideal candidates should not have visited the ER or stayed in the hospital in the past month and must manage their daily health needs without frequent doctor visits. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to improve their health management skills and maintain independence.

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 nurse-led health coaching is safe for older adults?

Research shows that nurse-led health coaching is generally safe and well-received. Studies have linked this type of coaching to positive outcomes without major side effects. For instance, one study on cancer patients found that more frequent coaching sessions led to better health and emotional well-being, indicating the approach is safe. Another review demonstrated that nurse-led coaching effectively improves health habits without harmful effects. Overall, while specific side effects weren't detailed, the consistently positive results suggest that nurse-led health coaching does not pose significant safety concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about nurse-led health coaching for healthy aging because it offers a personalized and proactive approach to healthcare. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medication and routine doctor visits, this method empowers individuals by enhancing their self-care skills, motivation, and decision-making. By focusing on the participant's active involvement in their health, it aims to improve long-term outcomes and foster a more sustainable, healthy lifestyle. This coaching could be especially beneficial for those looking to maintain their independence and quality of life as they age.

What evidence suggests that nurse-led health coaching is effective for healthy aging?

Research has shown that nurse-guided health coaching can greatly improve health outcomes. In this trial, participants will receive nurse-led health coaching, which studies have found helps people manage long-term health issues by involving them more in their own care. This approach encourages patients to take an active role in health decisions, leading to better results. One study linked nurse coaching to improved self-care and healthier habits. This method combines nursing skills with coaching techniques to help people solve health problems and make healthier choices. Overall, nurse-led health coaching significantly improves both health and well-being. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kathleen Potempa, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults who want to stay healthy and independent at home. Participants must speak English, be able to communicate their personal details, have a computer or tablet with internet, camera, and mic, and know how to use video chat in a private space.

Inclusion Criteria

Have their own computer or iPad (Tablet) with an Internet connection, a working camera and microphone

Be able to use their computer/tablet to connect to video chat sessions like Zoom in a private space in their home or a private room

I can provide my personal details and explain my health issues.

Exclusion Criteria

Do not have, or cannot use, a computer, iPad or other device with the Internet at home to use Zoom (e.g., internet streaming)

Have been told their illness is not curable

Are not verified users of Medicaid Home Help services

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in the HealthyLifetime program to improve self-care capacity and health-related problem solving

20 weeks

Regular check-ins at 0, 8, and 20 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in health behaviors and quality of life

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Nurse-led health coaching

Trial Overview The Healthy Lifetime program focuses on nurse-led health coaching aimed at helping seniors maintain their health and function so they can live independently in their homes for as long as possible.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: HealthyLifetime Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This project is designed to prepare and equip the participant for improved self-care capacity, motivational insight, health-related problem solving and decision-making.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

10,900+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The nurse coaching intervention, which included educational reinforcement and psychosocial support, led to modest improvements in health-promoting behaviors and a decrease in fasting blood glucose levels among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Participants showed significant psychosocial adaptation, suggesting that individualized nursing care after diabetes education can enhance health outcomes and quality of life for newly diagnosed patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The content, integrity, and efficacy of a nurse coaching intervention in type 2 diabetes. Whittemore, R., Chase, S., Mandle, CL., et al.[2018]

Nurse coaches are taking on the role of advocates for health by focusing on environmental and social factors that influence health, aligning with the principles established by Florence Nightingale.

There is a growing demand for nurse coaches to implement evidence-based strategies that promote health and support lifestyle changes, leading to new job opportunities across various health sectors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Professional Nurse Coaching: Advances in National and Global Healthcare transformation. Dossey, BM., Hess, D.[2021]

Health coaching is an innovative strategy for occupational health nurses that effectively engages individuals in changing unhealthy behaviors, leading to improved health outcomes.

This approach not only enhances compliance with health recommendations but also helps reduce healthcare costs, addressing the limitations of traditional health interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health coaching: a fresh approach for improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Huffman, MH.[2019]

In a study involving 441 low-income patients with poorly controlled chronic conditions, those who received 12 months of health coaching showed a significant increase in trust towards their primary care providers compared to those receiving usual care.

The increase in trust was measured using the Trust in Physician Scale, with health coaching resulting in a mean trust level increase of 3.9 compared to 1.5 in the usual care group, suggesting that integrating health coaches into primary care could strengthen patient-provider relationships.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does health coaching change patients' trust in their primary care provider? Thom, DH., Hessler, D., Willard-Grace, R., et al.[2022]

There is a growing demand for health and wellness coaches in workplace health promotion, leading to many training programs that vary widely in their definitions and content.

The National Society of Health Coaches, supported by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, emphasizes the need for clear standards and responsibilities in health coaching to ensure public safety and awareness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advancing the Practice of Health Coaching: Differentiation From Wellness Coaching. Huffman, MH.[2017]

A review of 13 studies on health coaching combined with telehealth for older adults showed that 10 of these studies reported effective outcomes, such as reduced hospital admissions and improved quality of life.

While telehealth health coaching is a promising method for managing chronic conditions in older adults, most interventions still rely on human coaches, indicating a potential for further development of automated coaching technologies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Use of Telehealth Technology to Support Health Coaching for Older Adults: Literature Review. Markert, C., Sasangohar, F., Mortazavi, BJ., et al.[2021]

Nurses can significantly impact patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by utilizing health coaching as a strategy to enhance health literacy in patients with hypertension.

Health coaching empowers patients by improving their understanding of medications and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for effective self-management of their hypertension.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using health coaching to improve patients' BP management. Higgins, K., Scott, MA.[2019]

Coaching, particularly through a combination of in-person and telecoaching sessions, has been shown to effectively reduce body measurements and enhance motivation and satisfaction in patients seeking weight loss, based on a review of 13 studies.

The study suggests that coaching is a cost-effective approach that integrates education and treatment for weight loss, but further randomized studies are necessary to confirm its impact on chronic disease indicators.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coaching and barriers to weight loss: an integrative review. Muñoz Obino, KF., Aguiar Pereira, C., Caron-Lienert, RS.[2022]

A survey of 164 certified nurse coaches revealed that they frequently address conditions like anxiety/stress, cardiometabolic issues, and pain, indicating their role in managing diverse health challenges.

Nurse coaches reported significant personal benefits, including improved health behaviors and job satisfaction, suggesting that coaching not only enhances patient care but also positively impacts the coaches' own well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Results of a national survey of certified nurse coaches with implications for advanced practice nurses. Ross, A., Brooks, AT., Yang, L., et al.[2019]

A review of 13 studies on nurse coaching interventions for patients with chronic conditions found that nearly all (11 out of 13) reported statistically significant positive health outcomes.

Nurse coaching is being recognized as a valuable complement to traditional Western medicine, suggesting it can enhance patient care and management of chronic illnesses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of the effectiveness of nurse coaching in improving health outcomes in chronic conditions. Vincent, AE., Sanchez Birkhead, AC.[2013]

A nurse-led intervention program significantly improved physical health and quality of life in 33 individuals with severe mental illness, leading to reduced waist circumference and increased physical activity and nutrition behaviors.

In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in health metrics or quality of life, highlighting the effectiveness of targeted nursing interventions in promoting healthier lifestyles.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a nurse-led intervention program on the physical health and quality of life of individuals with severe mental illness. Çelik İnce, S., Partlak Günüşen, N.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12258200/

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Impact of Nurse-Led Health ... This study investigates the association between the frequency of health coaching sessions and key clinical and psychosocial outcomes among cancer patients.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819046/

The Impact of Nurse Health-Coaching Strategies on ... The practice of nurse health coaching (NHC) draws from the art and science of nursing, behavioral sciences, and evidence-based health-coaching methods.

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/350759285_Effectiveness_of_a_nurse-led_face-to-face_health_coaching_intervention_in_enhancing_activation_and_secondary_outcomes_of_primary_care_users_with_chronic_conditions

Effectiveness of a nurse‐led, face‐to‐face health coaching ... We designed a two‐group quasi‐experimental time series trial to examine the effectiveness of a nurse‐led, face‐to‐face, individually‐tailored health coaching ( ...

4. hsrd.research.va.gov hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/health-coaching.pdf

The Effectiveness of Health Coaching This systematic review evaluated the effects of self-identified health coaching interventions among adults with chronic medical conditions on clinical, ...

5. italjmed.org italjmed.org/ijm/article/view/itjm.2021.1297/1463

Nurse coaching improves healthy conditions: an integrative ... Nurses who incorporate coaching into their professional practice broaden their skills and opportunities in the entire spectrum of health, wellness, and healing.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8108347/

Health coaching provided by registered nurses described The aim of this systematic review and narrative synthesis was to identify how and why health coaching is delivered by Registered Nurses.

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/236196607_Evaluation_of_the_Effectiveness_of_Nurse_Coaching_in_Improving_Health_Outcomes_in_Chronic_Conditions

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nurse Coaching in ... Coaching intervention studies, including systematic reviews, have typically demonstrated positive outcomes, with desired effects shown in one or ...

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/416

The Impact of Nurse Health-Coaching Strategies on ... This NHC program shows promise in improving cognitive–behavioral indicators associated with health behavior change in both non-SDH and SDH individuals.