Lifestyle integrated functional exercise for people with dementia: study protocol for a home-based randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Sara Almeida ◽  
Madalena Gomes da Silva ◽  
Alda Marques

Background/Aims Physical activity is effective in people with dementia. Most people with dementia live at home, but few home-based physical activity programmes have been developed. The aim of this protocol is to determine the feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Lifestyle Integrated Functional Exercise for People with Dementia (LiFE4D). Methods A randomised, controlled trial will be implemented. The experimental group will receive LiFE4D and the control group will maintain usual treatment. LiFE4D is a 3-month programme adjusted to daily routines and involving carers, with decreased face-to-face contact over time. The primary outcome measure is exercise capacity assessed with the 2-Minute Step Test. Secondary outcomes include cognitive function, physical activity, health-related physical fitness, respiratory function, functionality, quality of life, carers' burden and costs. Results Findings from this study will improve knowledge and provide guidance on home-based physical activity for people with dementia. Conclusions If effective, the trial will provide a model of home-based physical activity and inform international guidelines for dementia care.

Author(s):  
Ruth E. Ashton ◽  
Jonathan J. Aning ◽  
Garry A. Tew ◽  
Wendy A Robson ◽  
John M Saxton

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effects of a supported home-based progressive resistance exercise training (RET) programme on indices of cardiovascular health, muscular strength and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients after treatment with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Methods This study was a single-site, two-arm randomised controlled trial, with 40 participants randomised to either the intervention or control group over a 10-month period. In addition to receiving usual care, the intervention group completed three weekly RET sessions using resistance bands for 6 months. Participants performed 3 sets of 12–15 repetitions for each exercise, targeting each major muscle group. The control group received usual care only. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was the primary outcome and assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included body weight, body fat, aerobic fitness, strength and blood-borne biomarkers associated with cardiometabolic risk. Results There was no significant difference between the groups in FMD at 3 or 6 months. However, there were improvements in aerobic exercise capacity (P < 0.01) and upper- (P < 0.01) and lower-limb (P = 0.01) strength in favour of the RET group at 6 months, accompanied by greater weight loss (P = 0.04) and a reduction in body fat (P = 0.02). Improvements in HRQoL were evident in the RET group at 3 and 6 months via the PCa-specific component of the FACT-P questionnaire (both P < 0.01). Five adverse events and one serious adverse event were reported throughout the trial duration. Conclusion This study demonstrates that home-based RET is an effective and safe mode of exercise that elicits beneficial effects on aerobic exercise capacity, muscular strength and HR-QoL in men who have undergone RARP. Trial registration ISRCTN10490647.


Author(s):  
Russell Jago ◽  
Byron Tibbitts ◽  
Kathryn Willis ◽  
Emily Sanderson ◽  
Rebecca Kandiyali ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical activity is associated with improved health. Girls are less active than boys. Pilot work showed that a peer-led physical activity intervention called PLAN-A was a promising method of increasing physical activity in secondary school age girls. This study examined the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the PLAN-A intervention. Methods We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial with Year 9 (13–14 year old) girls recruited from 20 secondary schools. Schools were randomly assigned to the PLAN-A intervention or a non-intervention control group after baseline data collection. Girls nominated students to be peer leaders. The top 18 % of girls nominated by their peers in intervention schools received three days of training designed to prepare them to support physical activity. Data were collected at two time points, baseline (T0) and 5–6 months post-intervention (T1). Participants wore an accelerometer for seven days to assess the primary outcome of mean weekday minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Multivariable mixed effects linear regression was used to estimate differences in the primary outcome between the two arms on an Intention-to-Treat (ITT) basis. Resource use and quality of life were measured and a within trial economic evaluation from a public sector perspective was conducted. Results A total of 1558 girls were recruited to the study. At T0, girls in both arms engaged in an average of 51 min of MVPA per weekday. The adjusted mean difference in weekday MVPA at T1 was − 2.84 min per day (95 % CI = -5.94 to 0.25) indicating a slightly larger decline in weekday MVPA in the intervention group. Results were broadly consistent when repeated using a multiple imputation approach and for pre-specified secondary outcomes and sub-groups. The mean cost of the PLAN-A intervention was £2817 per school, equivalent to £31 per girl. Economic analyses indicated that PLAN-A did not lead to demonstrable cost-effectiveness in terms of cost per unit change in QALY. Conclusions This study has shown that the PLAN-A intervention did not result in higher levels of weekday MVPA or associated secondary outcomes among Year 9 girls. The PLAN-A intervention should not be disseminated as a public health strategy. Trial registration ISRCTN14539759–31 May, 2018.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e018409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah G Dean ◽  
Leon Poltawski ◽  
Anne Forster ◽  
Rod S Taylor ◽  
Anne Spencer ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo assess acceptability and feasibility of trial processes and the Rehabilitation Training (ReTrain) intervention including an assessment of intervention fidelity.DesignA two-group, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial with parallel mixed methods process and economic evaluations.SettingCommunity settings across two sites in Devon.ParticipantsEligible participants were: 18 years old or over, with a diagnosis of stroke and with self-reported mobility issues, no contraindications to physical activity, discharged from National Health Service or any other formal rehabilitation programme at least 1 month before, willing to be randomised to either control or ReTrain and attend the training venue, possessing cognitive capacity and communication ability sufficient to participate. Participants were individually randomised (1:1) via a computer-generated randomisation sequence minimised for time since stroke and level of functional disability. Only outcome assessors independent of the research team were blinded to group allocation.InterventionsReTrain comprised (1) an introductory one-to-one session; (2) ten, twice-weekly group classes with up to two trainers and eight clients; (3) a closing one-to-one session, followed by three drop-in sessions over the subsequent 3 months. Participants received a bespoke home-based training programme. All participants received treatment as usual. The control group received an exercise after stroke advice booklet.Outcome measuresCandidate primary outcomes included functional mobility and physical activity.ResultsForty-five participants were randomised (ReTrain=23; Control=22); data were available from 40 participants at 6 months of follow-up (ReTrain=21; Control=19) and 41 at 9 months of follow-up (ReTrain=21; Control=20). We demonstrated ability to recruit and retain participants. Participants were not burdened by the requirements of the study. We were able to calculate sample estimates for candidate primary outcomes and test procedures for process and health economic evaluations.ConclusionsAll objectives were fulfilled and indicated that a definitive trial of ReTrain is feasible and acceptable.Trial registration numberNCT02429180; Results.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e031332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Anne Baker ◽  
Jodie Bloska ◽  
Sabine Braat ◽  
Anna Bukowska ◽  
Imogen Clark ◽  
...  

IntroductionPharmacological interventions to address behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) can have undesirable side effects, therefore non-pharmacological approaches to managing symptoms may be preferable. Past studies show that music therapy can reduce BPSD, and other studies have explored how formal caregivers use music in their caring roles. However, no randomised study has examined the effects on BPSD of music interventions delivered by informal caregivers (CGs) in the home setting. Our project aims to address the need for improved informal care by training cohabiting family CGs to implement music interventions that target BPSD, and the quality of life (QoL) and well-being of people with dementia (PwD) and CGs.Methods and analysisA large international three-arm parallel-group randomised controlled trial will recruit a sample of 495 dyads from Australia, Germany, UK, Poland and Norway. Dyads will be randomised equally to standard care (SC), a home-based music programme plus SC, or a home-based reading programme plus SC for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is BPSD of PwD (measured using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes will examine relationship quality between CG and PwD, depression, resilience, competence, QoL for CG and QoL for PwD. Outcomes will be collected at baseline, at the end of the 12-week intervention and at 6 months post randomisation. Resource Utilisation in Dementia will be used to collect economic data across the life of the intervention and at 6-month follow-up. We hypothesise that the music programme plus SC will generate better results than SC alone (primary comparison) and the reading programme plus SC (secondary comparison).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained for all countries. Results will be presented at national and international conferences and published in scientific journals and disseminated to consumer and caregiver representatives and the community.Trial registration numbersACTRN12618001799246p; NCT03907748


Open Heart ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Hovland-Tånneryd ◽  
Michael Melin ◽  
Ewa Hägglund ◽  
Inger Hagerman ◽  
Hans E Persson

ObjectivesA home-based tool for heart failure (HF) patients, was evaluated in a specialist setting as a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and also in a validation cohort in a primary care setting in a clinical controlled trial (CCT). The tool provides education, symptom monitoring and titration of diuretics. The aim of this study was thus to extend validity of the previous RCT findings in order to describe applicability of the tool in clinical practice.MethodsData from both trials were analysed separately, as well as a pooled data set (n=172). Data were analysed with respect to HF related in-hospital days, self-care behaviour and system adherence, during a 6-month intervention. The analysis of in-hospital days for the pooled data was adjusted for baseline differences between the two study cohorts, relating to disease state.ResultsIn the RCT (n=72) the intervention group (IG) consisted of 32 patients and the control group (CG) of 40 patients. The risk ratio (RR) for in-hospital days was RR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.84, p<0.05 in favour of the IG. In the CCT (n=100) both the IG and the CG consisted of 50 patients and the IG had fewer in-hospitals days, comparable to the RCT findings with RR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.99; p<0.05. For the pooled data set made up of 172 patients, the groups were well balanced but with a higher prevalence of hypertension in the CG. The RR relating to in-hospital days for the pooled data set was 0.71; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.82; p<0.05 in favour of the IG. There was a statistically significant improvement in self-care by 27% and the median system adherence was 94%.ConclusionsThese analyses suggest that the evaluated tool might reduce HF related in-hospital days in the general HF population, which adds to the external validity of previous findings.Clinical Trial RegistrationNCT03655496.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Sasiporn Ounjaichon ◽  
Chris Todd ◽  
Emma Stanmore ◽  
Elisabeth Boulton

Abstract Introduction Falls are the leading cause of injuries in older Thai adults. There is a need to develop a fall prevention exercise programme to encourage participation and adherence. The adapted Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (aLiFE) programme may be suitable by integrating exercise into daily routines as opposed to attending an exercise class. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of the aLiFE programme in Thai context (TLiFE) among older Thai adults. Methods Based on the findings of a prior qualitative study, a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of TLiFE was conducted among community-dwelling older adults, comparing the TLiFE intervention group with a usual care control group. Outcome measures were analysed at baseline, 3 months, and after 6 months of the intervention. Results We recruited a total of 72 older adults into the RCT, randomised to TLiFE (n=36) and control (n=36). The retention rate at 6 months was 91.7%. Attendance in the intervention group (3 home visits and 4 follow-up calls) was 82.9%. There were no differences in fall incidence between the groups. The acceptability survey reveals TLiFE is easy to perform in daily life, safe, and useful. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion The TLiFE programme appears to be acceptable and feasible to deliver to community-dwelling older Thai adults. This feasibility study was not powered to detect a difference between groups. A further fully powered definitive randomised controlled trial of TLiFE is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness before it is integrated within the healthcare system in Thailand.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon M Nijenhuis ◽  
Gerdienke B Prange-Lasonder ◽  
Arno HA Stienen ◽  
Johan S Rietman ◽  
Jaap H Buurke

Objectives: To compare user acceptance and arm and hand function changes after technology-supported training at home with conventional exercises in chronic stroke. Secondly, to investigate the relation between training duration and clinical changes. Design: A randomised controlled trial. Setting: Training at home, evaluation at research institute. Subjects: Twenty chronic stroke patients with severely to mildly impaired arm and hand function. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to six weeks (30 minutes per day, six days a week) of self-administered home-based arm and hand training using either a passive dynamic wrist and hand orthosis combined with computerised gaming exercises (experimental group) or prescribed conventional exercises from an exercise book (control group). Main measures: Main outcome measures are the training duration for user acceptance and the Action Research Arm Test for arm and hand function. Secondary outcomes are the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, Fugl-Meyer assessment, Motor Activity Log, Stroke Impact Scale and grip strength. Results: The control group reported a higher training duration (189 versus 118 minutes per week, P = 0.025). Perceived motivation was positive and equal between groups ( P = 0.935). No differences in clinical outcomes over training between groups were found (P ⩾ 0.165). Changes in Box and Block Test correlated positively with training duration ( P = 0.001). Conclusions: Both interventions were accepted. An additional benefit of technology-supported arm and hand training over conventional arm and hand exercises at home was not demonstrated. Training duration in itself is a major contributor to arm and hand function improvements.


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