REACH: Research Exploring physical Activity in Care Homes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
REACH: Research Exploring physical Activity in Care Homes
IRAS ID
172884
Contact name
Jane Dennison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bradford Teaching Hospitals
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 28 days
Research summary
As life expectancy increases and the number of older people, particularly those aged 85 years and over, expands there is an increase in demand for long-term care. A large proportion of people in a care home setting spend most of their time inactive and this is one of the leading preventable causes of death. Encouraging residents to be more active could deliver benefits in terms of physical and psychological health, and quality of life. Although there is a wealth of research in this area there is a need for further, more robust studies, particularly those evaluating viable and sustainable interventions that can enhance routine physical activity.
This cluster randomised feasibility study is the final stage of a programme of 5 workstreams to develop and undertake preliminary testing of strategies designed to enhance opportunities for movement and thereby increase physical activity levels, reduce sedentary behaviour and promote health and mental wellbeing of care home residents. This can include physical, social and leisure activities ranging from dressing, eating and washing, to leisure activities such as singing; all tailored to the person’s needs and preferences. This feasibility study aims to explore the acceptability of the REACH intervention, currently being developed in workstream 4 and informed by earlier workstreams, and to gather data to examine the feasibility of a future randomised control trial (RCT).
We aim to recruit 8-12 residents from 12 residential care homes across Yorkshire. Six of these care homes will be randomly allocated to receive the REACH intervention alongside usual care, whilst the others will continue to provide usual care alone. The REACH intervention will comprise a resource pack, including training materials, implementation plans, guidance and practical ideas, to assist care home staff with introducing opportunities to increase movement into residents’ every day care and tailoring these according to resident profile, context and environment of individual home’s needs.
Participant assessments will be undertaken in all care homes at baseline (prior to randomisation), and at 3, 6 and 9 months post-randomisation. Data relating to changes in physical activity, physical function, level of cognitive impairment, mood, perceived health & wellbeing and quality of life will be collected. Staff job satisfaction, NHS service usage and changes in the numbers and types of negative events residents’ experience (for example admission to hospital, falls) will also be collected. Information on the acceptability of the intervention from a care home and resident perspective, and feasibility data to inform the design and implementation of a definitive trial will be collected. Process evaluation will also take place at follow-up.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0125
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion