A novel approach to increase physical activity in older adults in the community using citizen science: a mixed-methods study

Abstract

Objectives The aims of this study were to implement a novel, community-based physical activity (PA) intervention in a Swiss town with active participation of elderly participants and to evaluate its effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability and sustainability. Methods The CAPACITY intervention combined important determinants of PA, used smartphone apps to provide feedback/facilitate interaction, and followed a citizen science approach to enable participants to organize walking groups. We targeted persons [ 60 years from Wetzikon. Assessments took place at baseline and after 6 months, during this intervention period, and 11 months after step-wise withdrawal of the study team. Results Twenty-nine persons were included in the study; 25 conducted 6-month follow-up. They had a significant increase in moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.046) but not in daily steps (p = 0.331). After the intervention period, key participants took over organization, independently organized monthly get-togethers, added new walking routes and continuously recruit new participants. Eleven months after withdrawal of the study team, 61 people regularly walk in groups together. Conclusions The novel CAPACITY intervention was successfully implemented, transferred to participants and is now selfsustainable for almost 1 year in the community.

A Scoping Review of Citizen Science Approaches in Chronic Disease Prevention

“…Twenty-one projects (29%) used citizen science approaches to develop or deliver interventions . For example, one project engaged citizen scientists in developing and implementing a community-based intervention to promote physical activity among older adults in Switzerland, including trialing the intervention in their neighborhoods, evaluating its acceptability and feasibility, and gradually taking control over organizing the program ( 45 ). A project in New Zealand engaged citizen scientists to contribute to the design of a food environments feedback system ( FoodBack ), to serve as a real-time database on indicators of the healthiness of community food environments (e.g., supermarkets, hospitals, schools) ( 46 ).…”

Patterns of cross-sectional and predictive physical activity in Swiss adults aged 52+: results from the SAPALDIA cohort

“…The loneliness ministry in the UK established the prescription of dancing courses, which are refunded by the National Health Service, to older adults [54]. Some municipalities in Switzerland offer health promotion such as group activities (e.g., "zämegoloufe") [55].…”

Profiling of Patients with COPD for Adequate Referral to Exercise-Based Care: The Dutch Model

“…Current guidelines state that the degree of clinical complexity should determine the types of (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) interventions provided, ranging from healthy lifestyle advise combined with recommended drug therapy [16,17], up to a comprehensive, inpatient, interdisciplinary PR program for patients with multiple physical, emotional and/or social treatable traits at the time of referral [10,18].…”

“…If the physiotherapy is successful (i.e., patient's goals have been achieved), participation in regular sports/walking activities as organized for elderly in the local communities [17] seems feasible and should be recommended in the maintenance phase. Follow up of the physical capacity and physical activity of these patients by the physiotherapist over time (for example, two evaluative sessions every 6 months) seems sensible and should be considered for reimbursement.…”

“…Patients with no-to-low self-reported disease burden (CCQ < 1.0 point; CAT < 10 points [ 26 ]) will most probably have no clearly defined exercise-related treatment goal for which they need advice/supervision from a healthcare professional. Therefore, the general practitioner will provide these patients with healthy lifestyle advice, including an advice to remain regularly physically active [ 17 ]. However, there will be no referral for additional physiotherapy or PR (Fig.…”