RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

TIME™ at Home Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is investigating a new online exercise program, called TIME™ at Home, designed for people who have difficulty with balance and walking in their daily lives. The aim is to see if this virtual group exercise program, done from home using Zoom, can improve people's physical and mental well-being, as well as help their caregivers. Participants will either start the 8-week exercise program straight away or wait for 5 months before beginning it. Researchers will compare these two groups to understand the program's short-term effects, how mobility levels or gender might influence experiences, and the costs involved. This research could offer a new way for people with mobility challenges to exercise and improve their health from home.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Toronto

Enrolment target

200

Start

19 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2026

Mobility Limitation

What is this study about?

Many people find it difficult to move around easily, whether due to conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis, or simply as they get older. This can make everyday tasks challenging and often means family or friends need to help out more. While exercise is known to help, attending in-person exercise classes can be tricky. Things like finding transport, bad weather, building access, cost, or even worries about catching illnesses can get in the way. Also, caregivers might struggle to find time for transport, and some community centers can't afford to run specialised exercise groups.

This study is looking at a new idea: an exercise program called TIME™ at Home that you can do from your own living room using a computer or tablet and the internet (Zoom). It's a group program focused on everyday movements. The main goal is to find out if taking part in this online program helps people improve their daily activities, balance, overall well-being, and even reduces how much they rely on walking aids. We also want to understand if it helps their caregivers feel better and more confident.

Researchers will also look into whether things like how much difficulty someone has with moving, or being male or female, changes how much benefit they get from the program. Finally, they'll work out the costs of running this program for the organisations and for the people taking part. This information is really important because it could show that TIME™ at Home is a good, practical way for people to stay active and improve their health without the difficulties of travelling to a class.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates an online exercise program for people with balance and walking issues.
Participation involves online assessments and an 8-week online exercise program (for those who don't wait).
You will either start the program immediately or after a 5-month waiting period.
The program aims to improve physical movement, mental well-being, and support caregivers.
Participation will last about 5 months.
You can stop participating at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who live independently at home or in assisted living and have some difficulty with moving around. This might mean using a walking aid, having trouble with steps or uneven ground. You need to be able to walk at least 10 meters (about the length of a small bus) by yourself, even if you use a walking aid. You should also be able to get up from and sit down on a chair on your own, and balance while standing and exercising (like marching on the spot) as long as you can hold onto something sturdy like a chair.

You also need a helper (like a family member or friend, but not someone you pay for care) who can be present during your first online assessment session and helps you with daily tasks at least once a week. Both you and your helper should be able to speak and read English well enough to understand the study information and follow instructions. You can't join if you're already in another exercise program, have done TIME™ at Home before, or have certain health issues that stop you from exercising safely. You also can't join if you have severe sight or hearing problems, or difficulties with memory that affect your understanding.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you live independently (at home or in assisted living)?
Can you walk at least 10 meters (with a walking aid if needed) without someone helping or watching you closely?
Can you get up from and sit down on a chair by yourself?
Do you have a helper (family/friend, not paid) who can join your first assessment and helps you at least once a week?
Can you speak and read English well enough to understand study instructions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you and your helper (caregiver) will first have an evaluation session using Zoom. During this session, you will complete some balance and walking tests, and fill out questionnaires. Your helper will only fill out questionnaires. After this, you'll be randomly put into one of two groups. Being 'randomly assigned' means it's like flipping a coin – it's fair and not decided by anyone.

One group will start the 8-week TIME™ at Home exercise program right away. You'll do this from your home using Zoom. The other group will wait for 5 months before they start the same 8-week program. Everyone in the study will have two more online evaluations using Zoom – one after 2 months and another after 5 months from the start of the study. Each evaluation session will be similar to the first one. So, from start to finish, your involvement in the study will be about 5 months, even if you are in the waiting group.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any exercise program has a small risk of muscle soreness or mild injury, but the exercises will be carefully supervised online. You can also hold onto a sturdy object for support during exercises. There are no known major risks associated with taking part in this study. A potential benefit could be an improvement in your balance, walking, and general well-being, both physically and mentally, from the exercise program. For caregivers, there might be benefits to their mood and confidence. If you're in the waitlist group, you still get to do the program later. It's important to remember that you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (4)

University of Alberta
Verified postcode
Edmonton, Canada· Recruiting
University of Manitoba
Verified postcode
Winnipeg, Canada· Recruiting
Bruyère Research Institute
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada· Recruiting
University of Toronto
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What exactly is TIME™ at Home?

It's an 8-week exercise program focused on daily movements, delivered online via Zoom, that you can do from your home.

Do I need special equipment?

You'll need a device with internet access and Zoom (like a computer or tablet). You should also have a sturdy chair or countertop for support during exercises.

What if I'm not good with computers?

The study team will guide you through using Zoom and the program. Having a study partner (caregiver) present for the first session can also be helpful.

Will I get paid to participate?

The study information provided does not mention any payment for participation.

Why do some people have to wait to start the program?

Having a group that waits helps the researchers compare the 'now' effects of the program with what happens if people don't start the program straight away, making the results more reliable.

How to find out more

Renato Barbosa dos Santos, MSc

timestudy@utoronto.ca 416-946-7579 Official trial record

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