None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
In a novel approach we propose a randomised controlled trial to investigate the cognitive benefits of reducing prolonged sitting in adults aged 60 years and older with two risk factors for cognitive decline: being frail and not meeting physical activity guidelines. The 16-week theory-informed sitting reduction program will include one face-to-face session and five telephone calls. Participants will receive normative feedback on their objectively measured sitting time, work through a series of activities in a workbook and set goals which they will integrate incrementally. 144 older adults will be randomised to receive either the sitting reduction program or a control condition. Participants will be assessed at baseline, at end of intervention at 16 weeks and at 32 weeks to assess maintenance. Primary outcome is cognitive function assessed with the California Verbal Learning Test with secondary outcomes of objectively measured sitting time, executive function, mental wellbeing (anxiety and depressive symptoms, and quality of life), and body composition (waist circumference, weight, and % body fat) and sleep (duration and quality).
Interventions
Intervention duration is 12 weeks and is comprised of one face-to-face consultation session (1 hour in week 1) and five telephone calls (10-20 minutes each in weeks 2, 3, 5, 8, 12). The intervention is delivered by a research assistant working in geriatric medicine who has training in delivering behaviour change interventions. The intervention is based on content contained in a workbook given to participants in the face-to-face session. This workbook contains six modules:
1. Sitting and your he
Intervention duration is 12 weeks and is comprised of one face-to-face consultation session (1 hour in week 1) and five telephone calls (10-20 minutes each in weeks 2, 3, 5, 8, 12). The intervention is delivered by a research assistant working in geriatric medicine who has training in delivering behaviour change interventions. The intervention is based on content contained in a workbook given to participants in the face-to-face session. This workbook contains six modules: 1. Sitting and your health 2. Taking action 3. Using your sitting influences to your advantage 4. Don't take set-backs sitting down! 5. 8 Lifestyle Habits to boos your brain health further! 6. Reflection and forward planning Modules are designed to be completed during each contact point, e.g. the face-to-face session and telephone calls. Participants will be asked to complete homework (10-20 minutes) during the face-to-face session and prior to each telephone call. The two key guidelines of the intervention are: 1. Stand for 3 @ 30. Participants are encouraged to stand up and move for 3 minutes after every 30 minutes of uninterrupted sitting. 2. Sit less throughout the day. Participants are encouraged to replace activities done while sitting down for those that can be done while standing. Participants will set action plans to try and achieve the intervention guidelines. They will also complete trackers to monitor their progress. During the face-to-face session conducted in the home of the participants, they will receive information about sitting time and health, the potential benefits of reducing prolonged periods of sitting and feedback on their objectively measured sitting time. They will also receive a device (Jawbone UP2) to wear on the wrist for the duration of the intervention. This device will prompt them to move after 30 minutes of uninterrupted sitting. During the telephone calls, participants will be asked about their program, and their progress in reducing their sitting time. Their action plans and trackers will be reviewed and they will receive feedback on their homework.
Sponsors
The University of Queensland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants are eligible if they fulfill the following criteria: 1) aged 60 years or older; 2) living in community dwelling; 3) not in paid employment; 4) no known diagnosis of dementia; 5) “insufficiently active”, defined as doing less than 60 minutes/week of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity for at least the previous 3 months; 6) “frail” defined as having 3 or more deficits related to fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illness and loss of weight on the FRAIL scale.
Exclusion criteria
Participants are excluded if they meet any of the following criteria: 1) presence of medical condition that prohibits standing; 2) unstable or life threatening medical condition; severe visual or hearing impairment; 3) unable to commit to the assessment schedule; 4) unable to understand spoken or written English.
Outcome results
None listed