Enhancing the physical activity levels of frail older adults with a wearable activity tracker‐based exercise intervention: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial
Enhancing the physical activity levels of frail older adults with a wearable activity tracker‐based exercise intervention: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial
A wearable activity tracker (WAT) incorporated with behavioral change techniques (BCTs) increases physical activity in younger adults; however, its effectiveness with frail older adults is unknown. The feasibility and preliminary effects of a WAT‐based exercise intervention to increase physical activity levels in frail older adults was investigated in this pilot study involving 40 community‐dwelling frail older adults. The experimental group received a 14‐week WAT‐based group exercise intervention and a 3‐month follow‐up, while the control group only received similar physical training and all BCTs. The recruitment rate was 93%, and the average attendance rate was 85.2% and 82.2% in the WAT and control groups, respectively, establishing feasibility. Adherence to wearing the WAT was 94.2% and 92% during the intervention and follow‐up periods, respec-tively. A significant interaction effect between time and group was found in all physical assess-ments, possibly lasting for 3 months post‐intervention. However, no significant difference between groups was observed in any daily activity level by the ActiGraph measurement. The majority of the WAT group’s ActiGraph measurements reverted to baseline levels at the 1‐month follow‐up. Thus, the WAT‐based exercise program has potential for employment among community‐dwelling frail older adults, but sustaining the effects after the intervention remains a major challenge.
Cluster‐RCT, Frailty, Physical activity, Wearable activity tracker
Liu, Justina Y.W.
6274f844-c636-44ad-aa6e-4d83a3225c7a
Kwan, Rick Y.C.
4ad03790-4557-41c1-8584-3313a4235e51
Yin, Yue Heng
16b6a1ad-c32b-4d82-a782-99acea4afa78
Lee, Paul H.
02620eab-ae7f-4a1c-bad1-8a50e7e48951
Siu, Judy Yuen Man
caec0c0e-c987-4e40-87ca-c34c61323d58
Bai, Xue
eef8d3ce-99bd-49aa-a999-629bb54f8651
1 October 2021
Liu, Justina Y.W.
6274f844-c636-44ad-aa6e-4d83a3225c7a
Kwan, Rick Y.C.
4ad03790-4557-41c1-8584-3313a4235e51
Yin, Yue Heng
16b6a1ad-c32b-4d82-a782-99acea4afa78
Lee, Paul H.
02620eab-ae7f-4a1c-bad1-8a50e7e48951
Siu, Judy Yuen Man
caec0c0e-c987-4e40-87ca-c34c61323d58
Bai, Xue
eef8d3ce-99bd-49aa-a999-629bb54f8651
Liu, Justina Y.W., Kwan, Rick Y.C., Yin, Yue Heng, Lee, Paul H., Siu, Judy Yuen Man and Bai, Xue
(2021)
Enhancing the physical activity levels of frail older adults with a wearable activity tracker‐based exercise intervention: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (19), [10344].
(doi:10.3390/ijerph181910344).
Abstract
A wearable activity tracker (WAT) incorporated with behavioral change techniques (BCTs) increases physical activity in younger adults; however, its effectiveness with frail older adults is unknown. The feasibility and preliminary effects of a WAT‐based exercise intervention to increase physical activity levels in frail older adults was investigated in this pilot study involving 40 community‐dwelling frail older adults. The experimental group received a 14‐week WAT‐based group exercise intervention and a 3‐month follow‐up, while the control group only received similar physical training and all BCTs. The recruitment rate was 93%, and the average attendance rate was 85.2% and 82.2% in the WAT and control groups, respectively, establishing feasibility. Adherence to wearing the WAT was 94.2% and 92% during the intervention and follow‐up periods, respec-tively. A significant interaction effect between time and group was found in all physical assess-ments, possibly lasting for 3 months post‐intervention. However, no significant difference between groups was observed in any daily activity level by the ActiGraph measurement. The majority of the WAT group’s ActiGraph measurements reverted to baseline levels at the 1‐month follow‐up. Thus, the WAT‐based exercise program has potential for employment among community‐dwelling frail older adults, but sustaining the effects after the intervention remains a major challenge.
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Accepted/In Press date: 28 September 2021
Published date: 1 October 2021
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
Funding: This project was funded by the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences’ Faculty Collabora‐ tive Research Scheme between Social Sciences and Health Sciences, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Project ID: P0001273).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Keywords:
Cluster‐RCT, Frailty, Physical activity, Wearable activity tracker
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 474938
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/474938
ISSN: 1661-7827
PURE UUID: d0498048-2f1e-44b5-91ba-9eff090bf4d1
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Date deposited: 07 Mar 2023 17:37
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 04:08
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Contributors
Author:
Justina Y.W. Liu
Author:
Rick Y.C. Kwan
Author:
Yue Heng Yin
Author:
Paul H. Lee
Author:
Judy Yuen Man Siu
Author:
Xue Bai
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