The PACE Study: Physical activity facilitation for older adults v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Physical activity facilitation to improve functional ability and independent living in older people at risk of disability: a feasibility study and exploratory pilot randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
132763
Contact name
Gemma Morgan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Research summary
As people live longer, their risk of disability increases. Disability can affect quality of life and increase health and social care costs. Preventing or delaying disability in the elderly is therefore an important public health objective, and identifying an effective intervention could improve the lives of many older people.
There is evidence that physical activity may reduce the risk of age-related disability. Increasing levels in older adults is therefore important, however to date no physical activity intervention has been shown to substantially change physical activity behaviour in this population. A new theory-driven behavioural intervention, using physical activity facilitation, has been effective in producing a significant and sustained increase in physical activity in adults with depression. This programme aims to encourage people to incorporate physical activity into their everyday life. The programme is based on a psychological theory of behaviour called self determination theory (SDT). SDT proposes that real and sustained changes in behaviour only occur once an individual feels competent in the behaviour, autonomous in their decisions about that behaviour, and related or connected to others.
A similar physical activity programme, known as Physical Activity Facilitation (PAF), has been developed for use with older adults. The aim of the programme is to keep older people active and independent as they age. The programme lasts for six months and involves up to three face-to-face visits and up to nine telephone support phone calls between an individual and a physical activity facilitator. The present study aims to assess the feasibility of using this SDT-based intervention, customized for an older population, as a means of increasing physical activity and physical performance. Feasibility will be explored using a pilot randomized controlled trial design and will incorporate a mixed-methods process evaluation.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/YH/0319
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion