ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5197-6412
Current Organisations
UNSW Graduate Research School
,
Addi Moves
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-09-2021
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.538
Abstract: The COVID‐19 pandemic and associated social distancing regulations have disproportionally impacted the health of older adults. Lifestyle interventions targeting physical activity, diet and fostering social connection may help to alleviate the potential negative health consequences. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of delivering an online group lifestyle intervention for older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Adults aged 60+, living in Australia were recruited to a single‐arm feasibility study of a 6‐week program delivered via a private Facebook group between June‐August 2020. Facilitators provided motivation and education on weekly topics including goal setting and reducing sedentary behaviour in the form of Facebook posts and group video calls. Primary outcomes included feasibility and acceptability and secondary outcomes included psychological distress, quality of life (AQoL‐6D), functioning, loneliness and physical activity (PA) with assessments conducted at baseline, post‐intervention and 4‐week follow‐up. N = 11 participants were recruited and n = 10 (91%) completed the post‐assessment questionnaires. High acceptability was observed and exploratory analysis from pre‐post intervention found evidence of an effect on secondary outcomes. A mental health informed lifestyle program delivered online via Facebook appears feasible and well‐accepted among older adults and may help to prevent some of the consequences of inactivity and social isolation associated with the pandemic. Online lifestyle interventions appear safe and may provide a scalable, cost‐effective strategy for protecting the physical and mental health of older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 28-07-2022
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-1607074/V1
Abstract: Background The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing regulations have led to an increased risk of social isolation and physical inactivity, particularly among older adults. The benefits of physical activity for reducing fall risk and improving mood and mental functioning have been well documented. The aim of this trial is to investigate the effect of the MovingTogether program on psychological distress (primary outcome) and physical activity, social capital, cognition, concern about falling, loneliness, physical functioning, quality of life and physical activity enjoyment (secondary outcomes). Methods A randomised controlled trial with a waitlist control will be conducted, recruiting 80 adults aged 60 + years with access to Facebook and a computer or tablet and not currently meeting the aerobic physical activity guidelines. Randomisation will be completed using REDCap. The intervention group (n = 40) will join a private Facebook group where allied health facilitators will provide targeted healthy lifestyle education throughout the 10-week program with weekly telehealth group calls. Intervention participants will also be provided access to tailored strength and aerobic exercise guidance and an evidence-based eHealth balance exercise program. Psychological distress and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 11 weeks (post intervention) and 16 weeks (one month follow-up). Linear mixed models will be applied for each outcome measure as per an intention-to-treat approach to determine between group differences. Secondary analyses are planned in people with greater adherence and those with higher psychological distress. Discussion COVID-19 has highlighted the need for a scalable, effective, and novel methods to improve and protect the health of older adults. The integration of an evidence-based falls prevention program with a mental health-informed online health promotion program may help to improve mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. Trial registration: ACTRN12621001322820p (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ANZCTR) on 29/09/2021.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-12-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S13063-022-06978-3
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing regulations have led to an increased risk of social isolation and physical inactivity, particularly among older adults. The benefits of physical activity for reducing fall risk and improving mood and mental functioning have been well documented. The aim of this trial is to investigate the effect of the MovingTogether programme on psychological distress (primary outcome) and physical activity, social capital, cognition, concern about falling, loneliness, physical functioning, quality of life and physical activity enjoyment (secondary outcomes). A randomised controlled trial with a waitlist control will be conducted, recruiting 80 adults aged 60+ years with access to Facebook and a computer or tablet and not currently meeting the aerobic physical activity guidelines. Randomisation will be completed using REDCap. The intervention group ( n = 40) will join a private Facebook group where allied health facilitators will provide targeted healthy lifestyle education throughout the 10-week programme with weekly telehealth group calls. Intervention participants will also be provided access to tailored strength and aerobic exercise guidance and an evidence-based eHealth balance exercise programme. Psychological distress and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 11 weeks (post-intervention) and 16 weeks (1-month follow-up). Linear mixed models will be applied for each outcome measure as per an intention-to-treat approach to determine the between-group differences. Secondary analyses are planned in people with greater adherence and those with higher psychological distress. COVID-19 has highlighted the need for scalable, effective and novel methods to improve and protect the health of older adults. The integration of an evidence-based fall prevention programme with a mental health-informed online health promotion programme may help to improve mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12621001322820p. Registered on 29 September 2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-09-2022
Abstract: Introduction: Despite the health benefits of regular physical activity, women experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are at high risk of inactivity. Reasons are multifactorial but likely include broad structural and contextual factors, e.g., lack of access to physical activity programs, as well as in idual and interpersonal factors, e.g., lack of motivation and childcaring responsibilities. Few studies among women of low socioeconomic position (SEP) have explored these factors in-depth, yet an understanding of these factors can help inform the development and improve the uptake of exercise referral schemes. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and COM-B model (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) were employed to understand behaviours for intervention development. Therefore, using these behaviour change models, this study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators influencing the use of an exercise referral scheme among women living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who had registered with a free exercise referral scheme (Live Life Get Active) and living in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Sydney, Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis and framework analysis were used to allow naturally identified themes to be determined and then allocated to theoretically driven domains. Results: Nine women were interviewed (aged 30–69 years). Eighteen themes were identified and mapped directly on to the six COM-B constructs. The most reported barriers to using the physical activity referral scheme related to the opportunity construct of the COM-B model, specifically childcare responsibilities, work commitments and environmental barriers. Key facilitators were enjoyment (motivation), no cost (opportunity), instructor led (opportunity) and social support (opportunity). Conclusion: Future exercise referral schemes targeting women living in low-SEP neighbourhoods should ensure programs are designed and delivered to overcome barriers aligned with the constructs of the COM-B model, particularly opportunity-related constructors.
No related grants have been discovered for Chiara Mastrogiovanni.