Preserving Ability through Virtual Exercise (PAVE): An Intervention to Increase the Physical Activity of Hospitalized Older Adults

University Of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY Each day in the hospital leads to functional decline and loss of muscle mass, which older adults can find difficult or impossible to restore in the post-acute period. To increase older patients’ physical activity while minimizing hospital staff time investment, we propose the use of virtual reality. Although some studies have suggested that virtual reality physical activity is feasible among older adults and could help maintain physical function, these studies have been small, and a dearth of research exists in the hospital setting where functional decline is widespread. The proposed study builds upon two pilot studies performed by members of this research team, one of which assessed the acceptability of virtual reality physical activity among older adults in the community setting, and the other of which assessed virtual reality for pain control among hospitalized adults. Both studies demonstrated strong feasibility outcomes. The overall objective of this proposed project is to explore the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a virtual reality physical activity intervention at helping older adults engage in physical activity and maintain physical function during their hospital stay. The proposed study has two aims. For aim 1, we will determine the feasibility of the virtual reality intervention among hospitalized older adults, compared to an education control group, using the NIH Behavior Change Consortium Guidelines, the Acceptability/Appropriateness of Intervention Measure, and semi-structured individual interviews. For aim 2, we will test the hypothesis that patients exposed to the virtual reality intervention will demonstrate greater time spent in physical activity throughout their hospital stay (MotionWatch8, physical activity diary) and better maintain their physical function (Barthel Index, UMove), when compared to those exposed to the education control, controlling for appropriate covariates. The proposed intervention, Preserving Ability through Virtual Exercise (PAVE), will be a quasi-experimental trial with the first 60 participants receiving an education only control and the next 60 participants receiving the PAVE intervention. This study uniquely addresses hospitalized older adults’ multi-level barriers to physical activity by improving older adults’ motivation for exercise through the introduction of fun as an incentive (individual level) and offering individualized exercises (e.g., bed, chair, or standing exercises) that require minimal staff assistance (organizational level). As virtual reality technology becomes more affordable and ubiquitously available across the world, this study will demonstrate how this technology could be leveraged to maintain the function of older adults. In doing so, this proposal complements NIA’s mission to develop interventions to maintain older adults’ physical function and prevent disability. My goal is to become an independent investigator of virtual reality physical activity interventions so that I may assist older adults in increasing their physical activity and maintaining physical function. This proposed training and research project will provide me with the skills needed to meet this goal.