The Impact of Community Exercise on Social Connectedness and Falls in Older Adults: Leveraging Exercise to Age in Place

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this study is to reduce risk of falls and social isolation in older adults age 50+ through participation in community based health and exercise programs.

Detailed Description
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PRIMARY HYPOTHESES: In community-dwelling ambulatory older adults (age ≥50 years) participation in a community-based group program will improve the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) score by four points measured after six to eight participation in the program when compared to the DSSI score prior to participation in the program. This increase will be sustained at 26 week follow-up. SECONDARY HYPOTHESES: Participants in the community-based group exercise activities will have decreased fall risk when measured after six to eight weeks participation in the program when compared to pre-participation as based on responses to the fall risk questionnaire. Cedars-Sinai patients who participate in the community-based programs will have a decrease in health care utilization (as measured by physician visits, Emergency Department visits, and hospitalizations) in the 26 weeks after program enrollment compared to the 26 weeks prior to program enrollment.

Official Title
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The Impact of Expanding a Community-Based Exercise Program on Social Connectedness and Falls Prevention in Older Adults: Leveraging Exercise to Age in Place (LEAP)

Conditions
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Social Isolation, Fall

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Exercise
* Other: Health Class


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Must be cognitively stable and must be 50 years or older Exclusion Criteria: <50 years Cognitive impairment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Pre-post study
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Community Exercise Program<br>Participation in Health Class including: Arthritis Exercise Foundation Exercise Class, Tai Chi for Arthritis, EnhanceFitness Class, or Healthier Living Class. | Other: Exercise<br>* Community based exercise programs held 2-3 times per week<br>Other: Health Class<br>* Community based health class held 1 time per week<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Social Isolation | The Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) is an 11 item questionnaire with a total score between 11 and 33 with higher scores indicating increased social connection and lower scores indicating higher social isolation. | Change in Duke Social Support Index from baseline will be measured at 8 weeks and 6 months. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of falls in the past 3 months - Reduce Falls | Number of falls in the past 3 months | Items will be measured at Baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months | 
| Number of falls with injury in the past 3 months - Reduce Falls | Number of falls with injury in the past 3 months | Items will be measured at Baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months | 
| Change in Loneliness | University of California Los Angeles 3 item Loneliness scale is a 3 item questionnaire with a total score between 3 and 9 with higher scores indicating increased loneliness. | Items will be measured at Baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months; assessing a change in loneliness from baseline to 8 weeks and 6 months |