AUTHOR=Phillips Christine B. , McVey Ava , Tian Junyan , Stephan Abigail T. , Davis W. Bennett , Aflagah Erica L. , Ross Lesley A. 

TITLE=Feasibility of a pilot dyadic randomized controlled trial testing the effects of three behavioral interventions on older adults’ cognitive, physical and everyday function

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Aging

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging/articles/10.3389/fragi.2023.1166338

DOI=10.3389/fragi.2023.1166338

ISSN=2673-6217

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> Maintaining functional abilities is critical for optimizing older adults’ well-being and independence. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) pilot examined the feasibility of testing the effects of three commercially available interventions on function-related outcomes in older adults. </p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Pairs of community-dwelling older adults (N=55, Mage=71.4) were randomized to a 10-week intervention (cognitive-COG, physical-EX, combined exergame-EXCOG, or control-CON). Cognitive, physical, and everyday function were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-months post-intervention. Feasibility was evaluated using recruitment, enrollment, training adherence, and retention metrics. Variability and patterns of change in functional outcomes were examined descriptively. </p><p><bold>Results:</bold> A total of 208 individuals were screened, with 26% subsequently randomized. Across training arms, 95% of training sessions were completed and 89% of participants were retained at immediate post-test. Variability in functional outcomes and patterns of change differed across study arms. </p><p><bold>Discussion:</bold> Results support a fully powered RCT, with several modifications to the pilot study design, to investigate short- and long-term training impacts.</p>