A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of a Virtual Multimodal Intervention Delivered by Volunteers to Improve Functional Outcomes of Frail Older Adults Discharged From Hospital

Detailed Summary

Frail2Fit will explore the feasibility of training volunteers to deliver online nutrition, exercise, and behaviour change (supported self-management) to improve the health of older people after discharge from hospital. The study also aims to explore if the supported self-management is acceptable to older people, their family members and/or carers, and the volunteers. Between 30-60% of older people in hospital lose muscle strength and function (deconditioning) and around 14% of older adults in hospital are frail. Reduced muscle function and frailty increase risk of poor health outcomes, including reduced quality of life, increased risk of hospital readmission and increased risk of mortality. Therefore, intervening to prevent functional decline is a high-priority patient-centred outcome. Current evidence suggest that physical activity (PA) and nutrition interventions are key to maintaining independence and improving frailty status. In response to the COVID-19 restrictions, healthcare and rehabilitation have increasingly turned to virtual modes of delivery, such as telehealth methods. The increasing use of technology in the daily lives of many allows PA and nutrition interventions to be delivered online. For instance, the investigators have developed and evaluated a programme using online clinics to successfully support over 600 cancer patients living at home to stay active and eat well with provision of emotional support (SafeFit study). With many older people now using the internet for social connection, the team have an opportunity to investigate whether a similar model can improve the health of older people. This study aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of implementing volunteer-led online exercise and nutrition support to frail older people discharged from hospital. The investigators aim to develop and evaluate a training programme for volunteers, determine the acceptability of the intervention through qualitative methods and identify facilitators and barriers to its implementation. The investigators will also explore the impact of the intervention on health outcomes for older people to inform future trial.

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