The ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged) study V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multi-centre randomised controlled trial of a peer-volunteer led active ageing programme to prevent decline in physical function in older people at risk of mobility disability. The ACE (Active, Connected,Engaged) study
IRAS ID
290332
Contact name
Afroditi Stathi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Mobility makes a huge difference to older people’s quality of life and ability to live independently. We currently have no peer-volunteering programmes targeting mobility in older people that are known to be effective and provide good value for money.
The Active, Connected and Engaged (ACE) programme is a low-cost programme, where peer volunteers support older people at risk of physical decline to improve their mobility by becoming more active within their communities. The study will evaluate the impact on mobility and value for money of the 6-month ACE programme. First, peer volunteers will meet with participants twice to build a rapport, find local community-based activities that the participant would like to join, and identify and address any barriers to taking part (weeks 1 and 2). Then, over a 3-month period, the volunteer-participant pair will jointly visit at least three local initiatives chosen by the participant. Telephone support to continue attending local activities independently will be provided over the following three months, with two further joint visits scheduled if needed.
We will first conduct an internal pilot study with 90 participants to confirm that recruitment procedures work well and the programme can be delivered as planned. If we have significant problems with recruitment or delivering the programme, we will stop the study. Otherwise, it will carry on as a full-scale trial, with 515 participants (65yrs+) and 150 peer volunteers (55yrs+).
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the ACE programme or a comparison group who only receive information about local initiatives. All participants and volunteers will complete measurements at the start of the study and then 6 months and 18 months later.
The delivery of ACE will be supported by the Royal Voluntary Service, a UK-wide volunteering organisation, in collaboration with community-based organisations delivering a range of active ageing initiatives.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0433
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion