Preventing Loss of Independence Through Exercise in Community Living Centers

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · May 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on improving the quality of life for older Veterans living in Community Living Centers (CLCs) who have dementia or cognitive difficulties. The study is testing a special group exercise program called Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ). The goal is to see if this program, along with training staff to lead these classes, can help residents stay physically active, socially engaged, and emotionally supported. The trial will involve 50 staff members from five different CLCs who will learn how to run the PLIÉ classes and track how well the program works for the residents.

To participate, residents must have lived in the CLC for at least 45 days, be able to sit in a chair or wheelchair for an hour, and have some level of cognitive impairment. They should not be planning to leave the facility soon or receive hospice care. Staff members and volunteers who are interested in leading the classes also need to be full-time clinical staff at the CLC. Overall, this trial aims to enhance the care for Veterans in these centers by empowering staff and promoting exercise and social interaction among residents.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• CLC internal facilitators/champions Inclusion criteria:
• • Full-time CLC clinical staff member (including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, nurse aids, recreation therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, mental health professionals or others)
• • Willingness to facilitate PLIÉ-CLC implementation at their site
• • Willingness to participate in initial and debrief site visit
• PLIÉ-CLC staff instructors Inclusion criteria:
• • CLC clinical staff member or volunteer interested in learning to lead PLIÉ-CLC classes
• • Willingness to participate in remote training process
• • Willingness to lead PLIÉ classes locally, including tracking attendance and other process measures
• • Willingness to participate in initial and debrief site visits and biweekly check-ins
• Veteran residents of Community Living Centers (CLCs) Inclusion criteria:
• • Long-stay resident (have resided at the facility for at least 45 days and are not expected to be discharged during the study period)
• • Not planning to be discharged within the next 12 months
• • Not receiving hospice care.
• • Cognitive impairment
• • Ability to sit in a standard chair or wheelchair unaided for a 1-hour class
• • English language fluency
• CLC directors Inclusion criteria:
• • Recommended by VHA leader as likely to be 'early adopter' based on successful implementation of program such as STAR-VA OR
• • g based on patient population (primarily palliative care or long stay maintenance/custodial care
• Exclusion Criteria:
• CLC internal facilitators/champions exclusion Criteria:
• • - Planning to leave the facility in next 12 months
• PLIÉ-CLC staff instructors exclusion criteria:
• • - Planning to leave the facility in next 12 months
• Veteran residents of Community Living Centers (CLCs) exclusion Criteria:
• • Comatose
• • Bedbound
• • Severe hearing, visual or communication challenges (i.e., unable to hear, see or understand well enough to participate)
• • Limited life expectancy (e.g., eligible for hospice)
• • Lack of ability to consent/assent to study procedures
• CLC Directors exclusion criteria:
• • - Lack of willingness or interest in participating