NCT06191276

Combating Hospital-related Function Decline Among Prefrail Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Combating Hospital-related Function Decline Among Prefrail Older Adults: Pilot Testing of a Strength-based Tailored-Exercise Program at Home (STEP@Home)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study focuses on the "Strength-based Tailored-Exercise Program at Home (STEP@Home)" aimed at improving health outcomes for geriatric patients at risk of hospitalization-associated functional decline. It is a sequential mixed-method study that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Detailed description

The research is a pilot study to develop the STEP@Home intervention, integrating a strength-based, tailored exercise regimen for elderly patients post-hospital discharge. It addresses hospitalization-associated functional decline (HAFD) by engaging patients in sustainable self-practice of physical exercises at home. The study employs empowerment strategies, lifestyle-integrated functional exercises, and optimized tele-platform use to maximize therapeutic benefits. By focusing on empowering patients through sustainable self-practice of physical exercises at home, it aims to enhance physical functions and improve health-related quality of life. The study also has significant real-world implications, potentially offering a scalable, effective solution for the broader geriatric population to manage HAFD, thereby reducing healthcare costs and improving overall well-being. The research intends to assess the program's impact on physical functions and health-related quality of life, utilizing a sequential mixed-method approach for a comprehensive evaluation.

Conditions

• Frailty
• Geriatrics

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	STEP@Home Intervention	STEP@Home is a multi-component exercise program designed for prefrail older adults that incorporates active strategies to promote long-term engagement. The optimal level of training is 45-60 minutes of exercise three times per week for at least 20 weeks. For prefrailty management, emphasis is placed on balancing and resistance training (around 15-20 min each) to improve muscle strength and gross mobility and prevent falls. Aerobic and flexibility exercises (10 min each) are also included to improve fitness and walking pace. Sixteen training tasks, including but not limited to those recommended by Vivifrail, for each exercise component (namely, resistance, balance, flexibility and aerobic training) will be adopted. A training manual with step-by-step illustrations of each task in pictures and text will be provided to the subjects, together with a set of simple, easy-to-access equipment (water bottle, elastic band and weight-bearing belt) to support task fulfilment.
BEHAVIORAL	Usual care	Usual Care Activities will be provided by the elderly community center such as dementia or caregiver supporting service. They will be allowed to use the regular service provided such services are not related to physical activity or exercise training.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-12-01
• Primary completion: 2023-09-30
• Completion: 2024-09-30
• First posted: 2024-01-05
• Last updated: 2025-12-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong