The TOGETHER Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can smartphone TechnolOGy be used to support an EffecTive Home ExeRcise intervention to prevent falls amongst community dwelling older people? The TOGETHER feasibility RCT.
IRAS ID
243408
Contact name
Helen Hawley-Hague
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 16 days
Research summary
Summary of Results
Can smartphone technology be used to support an effective exercise intervention to prevent falls amongst community dwelling older people?Falls lead to injury, loss of independence and death for older adults. Targeted home-exercise, including exercises to strengthen muscles and improve balance, is proven to prevent falls. However, older adults do not always maintain their exercises nor do them regularly enough to gain the benefits. Many healthcare services do not offer adequate support to enable older adults to carry out the exercises regularly or for a long enough period of time. Technology can provide feedback and support to people trying to become more active but has not used for falls prevention exercise in this way.
This National Institute of Health Research funded study explores whether smartphone technology can be used to support patients to adhere to a evidence-based falls exercise programme.
Methods:
Two motivational smartphone applications (health professional and patient) based on goal setting and personalised feedback will be used to support patients to adhere to their prescribed exercise programme. Two community services who deliver falls rehabilitation will identify patients who normally require a strength and balance programme and deliver the intervention. 72 patients who are willing to participate will be recruited and randomised to either the standard service provided or the standard service and the use of smartphone. All participants will wear the smartphone as a falls detector/alarm and report their exercises using the smartphone. This study is a feasibility trial looking at acceptability of design and procedures, before a full-scale trial looking at the effectiveness of the technology.Impact:
The intervention has the potential to increase support/motivation which should lead to increased adherence and increase exercise progression/dose. It could therefore assist maintenance of health, reducing long-term falls risk and re-access to services.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0457
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion