Relationships Between Exercise and Emotion Regulation on Physical Activity in Frail Older Adults

Frailty in older adults is a consequence of physical inactivity, which leads to poor physical function, disability and poor health outcomes. Nearly 60% of older adults report inactivity. Emotion regulation strategies have affective, cognitive and social consequences. Positive emotions are significantly associated with a higher ability to perform activities of daily living. There is a gap in the understanding of how exercise influences the selection of emotion regulation strategies (avoidant vs. adaptive) in frail older adults. The investigators propose to examine the interactions between regular exercise, selection of emotional regulation strategies, and daily physical activity in frail sedentary older adults.

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Key information

Conditions

Mobility Limitation Behavior Older Adults Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Sedentary Behavior Sedentary Lifestyle Signs and Symptoms

Age range

60 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

About this study

Determine the choice of emotion regulation strategies used by frail sedentary older adults (60+ years; n=24). Frailty will be defined as a gait speed <0.8 m/sec.

Hypothesis: Frail sedentary older adults will choose avoidant emotion regulation strategies.

Examine whether a peer-led, community-based, group-exercise program lasting 12-weeks improves the selection of emotion regulation strategies in frail sedentary older adults as compared to those receiving support services (12/group).

Hypothesis: Exercise will result in higher use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies than support services.

Examine if improved selection of emotional regulation strategies with exercise translates into increased daily physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior by frail older adults as compared to those receiving support services.

Hypothesis: Exercise will significantly increase daily physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior than support services.

Determine if improvements in emotional regulation strategy selection and daily physical activity levels positively influence health and well-being (i.e. health status, physical function, mood, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sense of loneliness and isolation).

Hypothesis: Exercise-induced improvements in emotion regulation and increased daily physical activity will be associated with improved overall health and well-being as compared to support services.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Community-dwelling older adults 60+ years of age
Men and women
Frail older adults with impaired mobility (gait speed < 0.8 m/sec)
Sedentary older adults

Exclusion criteria

Unable to give consent
Unable to exercise
Unable to travel to the community site
Unstable chronic conditions

Treatment and study plan

Group exercise

Behavioral

Group exercise based on the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines.

Primary outcomes

Seven-day free living physical activity

Time frame: 12 weeks

Number of steps per day were objectively measured with an activity monitor worn for a seven-day period

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northeastern University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Does Exercise-induced Improvements in Emotion Regulation Enhance Daily Physical Activity and Well-being in Frail Sedentary Older Adults?

Important dates

Study start: 2015
Primary completion: 2015
Study completion: 2016
First posted: May 2, 2018
Registry last updated: May 2, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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