TechSAge Tele Tai Chi for People Aging With Mobility Disabilities

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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TechSAge Tele Tai Chi for People Aging With Mobility Disabilities

Conditions
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Aging, Disability Physical

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Tele Tai Chi Intervention for Persons Aging with Long-Term Mobility Disabilities


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years
Maximum Age: 80 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: Supportive Care
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: All participants will be screened and assigned to the same condition in a phased/rolling enrollment.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Tele Tai Chi<br>8-week Tele Tai Chi intervention | Behavioral: Tele Tai Chi Intervention for Persons Aging with Long-Term Mobility Disabilities<br>* • 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.<br>* Other names: Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Physical activity | 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). | Baseline, Week 1-8 of intervention, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up | 
| Social connectedness | 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). | Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Exercise Self-Efficacy | 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). | Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up | 
| Falls Efficacy | 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). | Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up | 
| Depression | 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). | Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up | 
| Quality of Life (QOL) | 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). | Baseline, Post-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up | 
| Pain Interference | 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). | Baseline, PPost-Intervention (8 week assessment), 1 month follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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mind-body exercise, tai chi, technology