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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04696887

TechSAge Tele Tai Chi for People Aging With Mobility Disabilities

This study uses videoconferencing to deliver an evidence-based exercise program, Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis, to adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities. In the 8-week Tele Tai Chi intervention, participants will use a tablet or computer to join a small-group, online class (1hr, twice weekly) from home; during each session, participants will exercise as a group along with the pre-recorded video lessons and have the opportunity for social interaction (via video chat) before and after class. The study will examine the effects of the Tele Tai Chi program on physical activity and social connectedness for adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities, a population likely to experience barriers to exercise participation.

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Key information

Conditions

Aging Disability Physical

Age range

60 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation

Atlanta, Georgia, 30318, United States

About this study

This study is part of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies to Support Aging-in-Place for People with Long-Term Disabilities (RERC TechSAge). This study uses videoconferencing to translate an evidence-based exercise program for older adults, Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis, from an in-person setting to a remote class and to a different population, adults aging with mobility disabilities. In the 8-week Tele Tai Chi intervention, participants will use a tablet or computer to join a small-group, online class (1hr, twice weekly) from home; during each session, participants will exercise as a group along with the pre-recorded video lessons and have the opportunity for social interaction (via video chat) before and after class. The study will examine the effects of the Tele Tai Chi program on physical activity and social connectedness (primary outcomes), as well as exercise self-efficacy, falls efficacy, depression, quality of life, and pain (secondary outcomes) for adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities, a population likely to experience barriers to in-person exercise participation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Be between the ages of 60-80
  • Self-identify as having a mobility disability, use a mobility aid (i.e., cane, crutches, wheelchair, walker, or scooter) or have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs
  • Mobility disability for at least 10 years
  • Passing score on Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) or letter from physician stating approved to participate in the intervention
  • Passing score on Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS)-score 26 and above included
  • Passing score of brief Technology Proficiency Screen (e.g., be able to do send and receive email)
  • Have access to a webcam on computer or tablet
  • Plan to have internet access for six months from screening
  • Live in the US
  • Be conversational in English
  • Available to attend 1 hr online class 2x a week for 8 weeks

Exclusion criteria

  • Blind or deaf
  • Significant Tai Chi practice during the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Tele Tai Chi Intervention for Persons Aging with Long-Term Mobility Disabilities

Behavioral
  • 8-week Tele Tai Chi intervention, participants will use a tablet or computer to join a small-group, online class (1hr, twice weekly) from home; during each session, participants will exercise as a group along with the pre-recorded video lessons and have the opportunity for social interaction (via video chat) before and after class.

Other names: Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis

Primary outcomes

  1. Physical activity

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1-8 of intervention, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up

    Change in physical activity (mode, frequency, duration, intensity) as measured by the leisure activity dimension of the Physical Activity Scale for Persons with Physical Disabilities1, a self-report measure of physical activity (Range 0-98.67; Higher score means greater physical activity. Lower score means less physical activity). Self-report completion of Tai Chi practice (Range 1-4; Higher score indicates greater frequency of practice. Lower score indicates less frequent of practice).

  2. Social connectedness

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up

    Change in perception of social connectedness (loneliness), as measured by the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8)3 (Range 8-32; Higher score indicates a greater degree of loneliness. Lower score reflects a lower degree of loneliness), Social Isolation Questionnaire4 (Social Disconnectedness Scale, Social Isolation Scale, Perceived Social Isolation scale; Range 15-67; Higher score indicates a greater degree of loneliness. Lower score reflects a lower degree of loneliness).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Exercise Self-Efficacy

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up

    Change in confidence in being able to exercise, as measured by the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) Scale5. A higher score indicates a greater confidence in being able to exercise. A lower score reflects less confidence in being able to exercise. Range (10-40).

  2. Falls Efficacy

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up

    Change in confidence in being able to engage in activities without falling, as measured by the Falls Efficacy Scale6 (Range 10-100; Lower score indicates greater confidence in being able to engage in activities without falling. Higher score reflects less confidence in being able to engage in activities without falling; Total score of greater than 70 indicates that the person has a fear of falling), and a 3-item indicator of fear of falling (adapted from7-8; Range 0-5; Lower score indicates less fear of falling. Higher score reflects greater fear of falling).

  3. Depression

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up

    Change in emotional distress (depression), as measured by the PROMIS Emotional Distress - Depression - Short Form9. Higher score means greater emotional distress. A lower score means less emotional distress. Range (8-40).

  4. Quality of Life (QOL)

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up

    Change in self-reported quality of life, as measured by the Kemp Quality of Life single item scale10. Higher score means higher quality of life. A lower score means lower quality of life. Range (1-7).

  5. Pain Interference

    Time frame: Baseline, PPost-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up

    Change in pain interference, as measured the PROMIS Pain Interference - Short Form11. Higher score means greater pain interference. A lower score means less pain interference. Range (4-20).

Other outcomes

  1. Technology Acceptance

    Time frame: Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment)

    Change in technology acceptance, as measured the Technology Acceptance Questionnaire (modified12,13,14). Higher score means greater technology acceptance. A lower score means less greater technology acceptance. Range (20-140).

  2. Physical Activity Class Satisfaction

    Time frame: Post-Intervention (8 week assessment)

    Class Satisfaction as measured by the dimensions of mastery experience, teaching, interaction with others, improvement of health and fitness, and relaxation from the Physical Activity Class Satisfaction Questionnaire2, a self-report measure of satisfaction related to exercise classes (Range 22-176); Higher score means greater satisfaction with physical activity class.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Georgia Institute of Technology

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
  • Tai Chi for Health Institute
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jan 6, 2021
Registry last updated
Oct 17, 2023

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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