None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a structured telephone-based physical activity coaching program for insufficiently active older adults living in rural and regional Victoria. Participants will be referred by allied health professionals and randomised to either receive five coaching sessions incorporating motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy or to a control group receiving a brief check-in call. The primary outcome is change in physical activity at 12 weeks, assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form. Secondary outcomes include self-efficacy, quality of life, mental wellbeing, loneliness, social isolation, body mass index, waist circumference, and smoking status. The findings will inform the feasibility and scalability of telephone-based coaching as a preventive health strategy for rural populations.
Interventions
Participants in the intervention group will receive a structured telephone-based physical activity coaching program (Healthy4U for older adults) incorporating motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) strategies.
Materials: Allied health professionals will distribute recruitment fliers, and participants complete the PAR-Q+ safety screening prior to enrolment.
Procedures/activities: The program focuses on helping participants identify meaningful physical activity goal
Participants in the intervention group will receive a structured telephone-based physical activity coaching program (Healthy4U for older adults) incorporating motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) strategies. Materials: Allied health professionals will distribute recruitment fliers, and participants complete the PAR-Q+ safety screening prior to enrolment. Procedures/activities: The program focuses on helping participants identify meaningful physical activity goals, enhance self-efficacy, problem-solve around barriers, and develop strategies for maintaining activity. Sessions 1–3 emphasise motivational interviewing for initiating behaviour change, while sessions 4–5 integrate MI-CBT to support maintenance. Who delivers it: Coaching is delivered by a registered healthcare practitioner (AHPRA accredited) with specific training in MI-CBT. Practitioners receive supervision from experienced clinicians who have delivered previous Healthy4U trials. Mode of delivery: All coaching is conducted by telephone, one-to-one with participants. Frequency and duration: Each participant receives five coaching sessions of ~15–20 minutes: - Four sessions over a six-week period - One booster session at week 11 post-baseline. Attendance rates will be measured using an attendance checklist. Setting: Participants are older adults living in rural/regional Victoria. Sessions are conducted remotely from Bendigo Health. Dose/intensity: Total intervention dose is approximately 75–100 minutes of coaching over three months.
Sponsors
Bendigo Health Care Group
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Aged 65 years or older; or 50 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or individuals with a disability (as per Community Allied Health Services eligibility) Reside in a rural or regional postcode in Victoria Insufficiently physically active, defined as engaging in less than 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week (self-reported) Have access to a telephone
Exclusion criteria
Deafness or significant hearing impairment Neurological disorder causing disability Active, serious mental illness (e.g., psychosis) Learning disability or dementia Registered blind Inability to mobilise independently Advanced cancer
Outcome results
None listed