The REACT (REtirement in ACTion) study - V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a community-based physical activity intervention to prevent mobility-related disability for retired older people: The REACT (REtirement in ACTion) trial
IRAS ID
169691
Contact name
Afroditi Stathi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN45627165
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
The REACT project evaluates the effectiveness and value for money of a physical activity programme for retired people aged 65 and over who are already showing some signs of limited mobility.
We are adapting the successful LIFE programme from the USA to try and increase the amount of activity people do. We will target a wide range of older people from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in Bath/Bristol, Birmingham and Devon.
The 12-month REACT programme is designed to help inactive people get started with activity and so improving heart fitness, strength and balance. It emphasises enjoyment a provides opportunities for rewarding social contact. A novel element is the "ambassadors" programme where participants can become programme recruiters or help other participants get involved in local activities.
We will conduct a pilot study to confirm that the programme can be delivered as planned and that the trial procedures work well. If the results are positive, the study will carry on to become a full-scale evaluation study involving 768 people. Participants will be randomly allocated to either our REACT programme or the control group who will receive information and vouchers for taster activity sessions and attend three healthy living educational/social sessions. All participants will complete some tests at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months. These will include three tests of physical functioning (balance, ‘sit-to-stand’ and walking speed), wearing a small wrist-worn physical activity monitor for a week, and answering some questionnaires about health and well-being.
This research is important because physical fitness makes a huge difference to older people’s mobility and quality of life. We currently do not have any programmes targeting functional ability in older people that have been shown to be effective and to provide good value for money.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/2082
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion