Church-based Intervention to Improve Physical Function

Launched by RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Apr 20, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to see if a special program offered through churches can help improve physical function in African Americans who have difficulty with movement. The study will last for 12 months and will involve different churches in certain counties. It aims to help individuals aged 40 and older who have some mobility limitations, such as difficulty walking or getting out of a chair. To participate, you need to be a member of a church with at least 300 adults, primarily African American congregants, and be able to attend classes at that church.

If you are interested in joining, you should be able to read and speak English and be considered safe to start an exercise program. However, there are some reasons you might not be eligible, like having severe cognitive issues or certain heart conditions. Participants can expect to take part in group classes designed to enhance their physical abilities and receive support from others in the program. This trial is a great opportunity to improve your movement and overall health while being part of a community!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Churches (Community-level):
• • Membership of 300 or more adults
• • Located in Cook, Lake, Dupage, Will, McHenry, Kane, or Kendall counties
• Participants (Individual-level):
• • Age 40 or older
• • Have mobility limitations (defined as SPPB score of ≤9)
• • Ambulatory, defined as able to get out of a chair and walk without assistance without using a straight cane
• • Able to speak and read English
• • Attend recruitment church; and
• • Safe to begin an exercise program, which will be determined using the Exercise Assessment and Screening for You (EASY) Tool.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Participants (Individual-level):
• • Severe cognitive impairment, defined as five or more errors on the Short-Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
• • Unable to consistently attend group classes at a scheduled time due to lack of reliable transportation, schedule conflicts, travel, plans to relocate, upcoming surgery, etc.
• • Participating in a medically supervised rehabilitation program such as cardiac rehab
• • Inpatient treatment for a psychiatric condition within the past 6 months, or currently receiving treatment for schizophrenia or other serious psychiatric illness
• • Contraindications to exercise determined using the EASY/healthcare follow-up
• • Congestive heart failure New York Health Association (NYHA) Class I or higher; unstable angina; heart attack or stroke within past 6 months
• • Visual or hearing impairment.