Promoting increased physical activity in hospitalised older adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Promoting increased physical activity in hospitalised older adults with trained volunteers: An implementation feasibility study (PIVOT study)
IRAS ID
331791
Contact name
Stephen Lim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 29 days
Research summary
Loss of strength and mobility (i.e., deconditioning) is common in hospitalised older people and is associated with a decline in physical function, poorer quality of life and increased health and care costs. Physical inactivity is an important and modifiable risk factor. A previous study showed it is feasible to train volunteers to engage with older people in hospital and facilitate walking and bedside exercises. The intervention was well-received by older adults, staff members and volunteers. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of implementing this volunteer-led physical activity intervention in three hospitals of varying sizes in different regions.
Older adults aged 65 years and above admitted to an acute hospital will be invited to participate in the study. We aim to recruit 180 participants; 90 from three intervention sites and 90 from a control site. Participants at the intervention sites will receive a twice daily volunteer-led physical activity intervention, and participants at the control site will receive usual care.
Participants who are able to walk independently will perform walking exercises and individuals with mobility impairments and require assistance in walking will perform bedside exercises. The volunteers will be trained and monitored by hospital therapists. We will explore the acceptability of the intervention through interviews with patients, volunteers, and staff. We will also measure retention of trainers, volunteers, and patients on the intervention, and adherence to the exercise, to explore intervention feasibility.
Our findings will help to determine the feasibility of the volunteer-led physical activity intervention across different sized hospitals, voluntary service teams, and therapy services to explore the implementation and roll out of the intervention across NHS sites and the development of a toolkit to support knowledge transfer.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0186
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion