NCT02905370

Progressing Home Health Rehabilitation for Older Adults

Progressing Home Health Rehabilitation Paradigms for Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 353 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years – 100 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This research study explores the effects of a progressive, multi-component intervention following a stay in the hospital or rehabilitation facility. The purpose of this research study is to compare a multi-component intervention (higher intensity exercise, nutritional supplementation, and greater emphasis on functionally enhanced care transitions) with usual care physical therapy.

Detailed description

Declines in physical function as a result of acute illness are strongly and independently associated with a number of adverse health events for older adults. Home Health (HH) physical therapy may be the ideal venue for addressing these declines in physical function because around 3 million older adults receive HH services following discharge from acute or post-acute facilities. However, as currently structured, HH care does not appear to adequately restore function, as evidenced by poor long-term outcomes and high rates of hospital readmission. Diminished physical function has been particularly implicated as a risk factor for re-hospitalization --older adults with lower levels of ambulatory activity are 6 times more likely to be re-hospitalized than those with greater ambulatory activity. A more intensive approach to HH physical therapy for older adults has great potential to maximize physical function and reduce hospital readmissions. Therefore, the investigators have developed a high intensity home-based, progressive, interdisciplinary, multi-component (PMC) intervention that directly addresses the functional deficits seen after hospitalization. This intervention will include intensive rehabilitation, a care transitions program, and daily protein supplementation. The investigators will conduct a two-arm, randomized clinical trial (RCT) of 200 participants admitted to HH from an acute or post-acute facility. Participants will receive either 1) an intensive, PMC intervention using resistance exercise and evidenced-based motor control training to improve physical function, along with nutritional supplementation and emphasis on functionally enhanced care transitions or 2) usual care (UC) physical therapy. The primary goal of this investigation is to determine if PMC intervention, initiated upon admission to HH, improves physical function, as measured by performance and self-report assessments, more than UC physical therapy. The investigators will also examine the effects on fatigue, balance confidence, and activities of daily living. In an exploratory analysis, the effects of the PMC intervention on re-hospitalization rates, nursing home placement, emergency room visits, and falls after discharge from the acute care hospital will also be examined. All outcomes will be examined at baseline, 30, 60 (primary endpoint), 90 and 180 days. If successful in improving patient function and decreasing re-hospitalization rates, PMC intervention holds potential for future health care cost savings.

Conditions

• Older Adults
• Physical Deconditioning

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Progressive Multi-Component (PMC)	Participants in the "Progressive Multi-component" intervention group will receive 1) high intensity physical therapy, 2) protein supplement, and 3) emphasis on functionally enhanced transitions of care following discharge from post-acute setting. High intensity physical therapy will include progressive resistance training, multi-planar motor control and gait exercises, and high intensity activities of daily living training. Functionally enhanced transitions of care protocol includes a personal health record with 5 domains that are addressed in an interdisciplinary manner with the patient. Participants will receive 12 intervention visits over 60 days. Participants will also receive a home exercise program.
BEHAVIORAL	Enhanced Usual Care (EUC)	Participants in the "Enhanced Usual Care" group will receive standardized physical therapy following discharge from acute hospitalization. The activities of therapy will include basic strength training, single-planar motor control and gait exercises, and activities of daily living training. Participants will receive 12 intervention visits over 60 days. Participants will also receive a standardized home exercise program and standard nutritional education. Name of Participant Arm updated to "Enhanced Usual Care" from "Usual Care" effective 8/16/18 to distinguish from Passive Comparator "True Usual Care" group.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-09-28
• Primary completion: 2022-05-06
• Completion: 2022-06-03
• First posted: 2016-09-19
• Last updated: 2024-03-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States