Nordic Walking Training Program for Sustaining Independent Walking in Older Adult Evacuees

NCT06404216 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HSBahat
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the effect and feasibility of a Nordic walking group training intervention on the physical and mental health of older adults evacuated from their homes to Haifa. Participants: The study will include 31 participants aged 65 and over who are in stable health and have been cleared by their physician to participate in this NW program. Intervention: The intervention will consist of two 60-minute Nordic walking (NW) sessions per week for two months, 16 sessions in total. Participants will be provided with walking sticks to use during the sessions. The sessions will be led by certified health professionals (PT, RN), assisted by trained undergraduate and graduate physiotherapy students. Outcomes: The primary outcome will be endurance to the walking sessions, and average weekly and monthly number of steps, measured by a smartphone application. Secondary outcomes will include three physical tests: 30-second sit-to-stand test, 4-meter walk test and heel raise test. mental health (PHQ-9 depression scale, GAD-7 anxiety scale, WHOQOL- BREF quality of life scale, PANAS short form positive and negative affect scale), and perceived global effect of the intervention. Design: The study will use a single-group pre-test/post-test design. Participants will be assessed at baseline, after two months of intervention, and at six months follow-up. Data Analysis: Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed-effects linear regression models. Significance: This pilot study will provide valuable information on the feasibility and effect of this group NW intervention for older adults evacuated from their homes. The findings will be used to plan and design a larger longitudinal RCT.

Conditions

Aging; Mental Health Issue; War-Related Trauma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Steps count by a smartphone application.

  weakly and monthly average of steps count will be retrieved from the cellular application.

  Baseline; immediately after intervention completion (week 8); 2,4 months post intervention follow-up.

• Adherence (number of patients that attended training sessions during the intervention time and throughout 4 months post intervention)

  Adherence to the walking program: participation in the 16 trained sessions during the intervention, and adherence to 150min/week during follow up period of 4 months post intervention. Optimal adherence outcome will be up to 20% absence.

  participation will be monitored during the 8 weeks of intervention. Follow up evaluation of independent walking throughout 4 months after intervention completion.

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• 30 seconds Sit to stand test (number of repetitions for measuring lower limb strength and balance)

  Baseline; immediately after intervention completion (week 8); 2,4 months post intervention follow-up.

• Two-minute walk test ( distance in meters for measuring functional endurance and gait performance)

  Baseline; immediately after intervention completion (week 8); 2,4 months post intervention follow-up.

• Patient Health Questionnaire (score in depression questionnaire to assess the risk of developing mental health problems)

  Baseline; immediately after intervention completion (week 8); 2,4 months post intervention follow-up.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (score in anxiety questionnaire to assess the risk of developing mental health problems)

  Baseline; immediately after intervention completion (week 8); 2,4 months post intervention follow-up.

• The World Health Organization quality of life assessment (score in the questionnaire to assess quality of life)

  Baseline; immediately after intervention completion (week 8); 2,4 months post intervention follow-up.

Study Arms (1)

Nordic walking group training

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention will consist of 60-minute NW group sessions, twice weekly, for two months (total 16 sessions). Participants will be provided with NW sticks to use during the sessions. Each session will be led by a qualified healthcare professional that received 4 hours NW guidance qualification, and participated in 4 sessions prior to leading one. Current qualified healthcare professionals are 2 physiotherapists, and a certified nurse. Final year physiotherapy students will assist, hence each session will be guided by two members of the research team- a clinician and a student. A social worker will participate in one weekly session aiming to empower the participants and utilize group dynamics techniques to promote successful continuation of independent walking following the guided period.

Other: Nordic walking group training

Interventions

Nordic walking group training OTHER

16 60-minute NW group sessions, twice weekly. Sessions will be led by a qualified healthcare professional and a graduating student. A social worker (SP) will participate in one weekly session aiming to empower the participants and utilize group dynamics techniques to promote successful continuation of independent walking following the guided period. Communication throughout the study will be conducted via a WhatsApp forum, to motivate and sustain regular walking during and after the training period. Following 2 months of guidance the group will be launched independently, while keeping remote contact. Same frequency and schedule will be encouraged.

Nordic walking group training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants in stable health and have been cleared by their doctor to participate in physical activity.

You may not qualify if:

• Using an assisting device for walking
• Any health condition that may prevent participants from doing physical activity according to their medical doctor.
• Unstable gait with high risk of fall by subjective and physical assessment,
• Dizziness, visual or hearing impairment that cannot be corrected.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Haifa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dan Carmel Hotel

Haifa, 34642, Israel

Location

Related Publications (24)

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  RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

War-Related Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Hilla Sarig-Bahat, Phd

  University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: The assessor will be external, not part of the training team, to avoid bias due to trainer/therapist- training participant subjective biases. Therefore there is assessor blinding but not to allocation as there is one arm.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Model Details: One arm of treatment in a special displaced population during war. This is a pilot feasibility study, prior to a full RCT in order to evaluate this protocol. Intervention of 2 weekly sessions for 8 weeks (total 16). Assessments will be conducted by a blinded assessor at baseline, end of training, 2+4 months post-intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 22, 2024
• First Posted: May 8, 2024
• Study Start: May 16, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 16, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2024-06

Locations

IL (1)