RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Promoting Increased Physical Activity in Hospitalised Older Adults

The PIVOT study wants to see if trained volunteers can help older people in hospital stay active. When older adults are in hospital, they often become weaker and less mobile. This is called 'deconditioning' and can make recovery harder. This study plans to train volunteers to lead simple exercises, like walking or bedside movements, to help patients keep their strength. We want to find out if this idea works well in different hospitals and if patients, staff, and volunteers like it. We'll be inviting older adults aged 65 and above to take part. The results will help decide if this volunteer-led exercise program could be used more widely in the NHS to improve care for older patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Southampton

Enrolment target

225

Start

06 Jun 2024

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2026

Hospital-associated Deconditioning

What is this study about?

When older people are admitted to hospital, even for a short stay, it's very common for them to lose strength and mobility. This can make it harder for them to get back to their normal life when they go home. This loss of strength is sometimes called 'deconditioning'. Being less active in hospital can lead to a longer recovery and, unfortunately, can sometimes affect their quality of life.

This study, called PIVOT, wants to find a simple way to help older patients stay active. We are looking into whether trained volunteers can guide patients through gentle exercises while they are in hospital. These exercises could be walking for those who can, or simple movements done from a bedside for those who need more support. The volunteers would be specially trained and supported by hospital therapists.

The main goal is to see if this volunteer-led exercise program is practical to set up in different hospitals and if it's something that patients, staff, and the volunteers themselves find helpful and worthwhile. We will be inviting older adults (65 years and over) to join the study. Some hospitals will offer this new volunteer-led exercise, while others will continue with their usual care for comparison. The information we gather will help us understand if this approach could be a good way to help many more older patients in the future.

Key takeaways

The study aims to help older hospital patients stay active.
Trained volunteers will lead gentle exercises.
It could help prevent weakness and improve recovery.
The study looks at whether this approach is practical in different hospitals.
Participation is for older adults (65+) admitted to hospital.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would need to be 65 years old or over and be able to understand and agree to join. You must also be admitted to one of the hospitals taking part in the study for an acute medical condition.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have severe memory problems (known as severe cognitive impairment), or if you are receiving end-of-life care. Also, if you need to be isolated for infection control reasons, you wouldn't be able to take part.

Volunteers also have their own set of requirements. They need to be 18 or over, have completed the hospital's general volunteer training, and be able to speak English well enough to clearly explain the exercises. It’s also important that volunteers are able to safely do the exercises themselves.

Quick self-check

Are you 65 years old or older?
Can you understand and agree to join the study?
Are you currently in hospital for a medical condition?
Do you *not* have severe memory problems?
Are you *not* isolated for infection control?
Are you *not* receiving end-of-life care?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you would be invited to join if you are an older adult (65+) admitted to hospital. You would be screened by a research nurse to make sure you're eligible. If you're interested, the study team would explain everything and gather your written consent.

If your hospital is one of the 'intervention sites', you would receive gentle physical activity sessions led by trained volunteers, likely twice a day. These exercises would be tailored to your ability – walking for those who can, or bedside exercises for others. If your hospital is a 'control site', you would receive the usual care given to patients. The study lasts for the duration of your hospital stay. We will also talk to some patients, volunteers, and staff to get their thoughts on the exercise programme. There are no medications involved in this study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer the benefit of increased physical activity during your hospital stay, potentially helping you maintain strength and mobility. The exercises will be gentle and adapted to your abilities, and volunteers will be trained and supervised by hospital therapists to keep you safe. However, as with any physical activity, there's a small chance of minor discomfort or strain. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your hospital care.

Locations (2)

Frimley Park Hospital
Frimley, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Salisbury District Hospital
Salisbury, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of exercises will I do?

The exercises will be gentle and designed for older adults in hospital. This could include walking with support or simple movements you can do while sitting or lying near your bed, all led by a trained volunteer.

Who are the volunteers?

The volunteers are members of the public who have completed general hospital volunteer training and will receive additional specific training and ongoing support from hospital therapists for this study.

Will this impact my regular hospital care?

No, taking part in this study will not affect the main medical care you receive from doctors and nurses. This is an additional activity to support your well-being.

How long will the physical activity sessions be?

The study aims for volunteers to lead physical activity sessions twice daily, though the exact length will depend on individual patient needs and endurance.

Is this a new medicine?

No, this study is not about new medicines. It's about exploring if a structured physical activity program, led by volunteers, can help older patients recover better in hospital.

How to find out more

Stephen ER Lim, PhD

s.e.lim@soton.ac.uk +442381206131 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.