BaSAlt — A mixed-methods study protocol on setting-based physical activity promotion and counseling in nursing homes

Abstract

Introduction Physical activity (PA) is a major contributor to healthy aging. However, physical inactivity is prevalent among the elderly in Germany, particularly in institutionalized settings such as nursing homes. This paper aims to describe the study objectives, design, methods, assessment types, collection schedules and considerations for analyzing the data within the BaSAlt study on facilitators and barriers for PA promotion in nursing homes. Methods We designed the BaSAlt study as a participatory intervention study with multiple measurement points in six to eight nursing homes with a total of approx. 200 residents using four main modules: (1) setting-level analysis of physical activity patterns, physical activity-related climate and physical activity-related interaction with ‘significant others,’ and organizational facilitators and barriers to physical activity, (2) physical-activity related individual-level analysis of objective and self-reported physical activity and sedentary behavior, a geriatric assessment with established procedures, assessment of people's activity and health biographies (biographical mapping) as well as their motivational, subjective well-being and distress status, and (3) a counseling module that integrates counseling at the setting level as well as individual physical activity counseling for residents. In module (4) evaluation, the effects of integrated counseling with regard to the implementation of PA promotion strategies are analyzed. Discussion This study will extend our knowledge of physical activity promotion in German nursing homes. Its findings will inform governmental authorities, care professionals, and academics on how to reach a particular group, characterized by inactivity, multimorbidity, and a high prevalence of dementia, residing in nursing homes, a setting that will gain further relevance in the future.

Identification of Sarcopenic Obesity in German Nursing Home Residents—The Role of Body Composition and Malnutrition in the BaSAlt Cohort-Study

“…To the best of our knowledge, there are no evidence-based trials in this setting. The implementation of physical activity promotion and the reduction of sedentary behavior in NH is one of the goals of the BaSAlt study [48].…”

The Applicability of Photovoice in Pseudo-total Institutions – Methodological Insights From an Exploratory Study on Physical Activity in Nursing Homes

“…However, residents we excluded from participation in the sub-study, we included in parts of the larger project, such as when personal information was not collected, so they benefitted from the PA promotion interventions we later planned and implemented (cf. study protocol, Thiel et al, 2021b).…”

Comparison of Habitual and Maximal Gait Speed and their Impact on Sarcopenia Quantification in German Nursing Home Residents

“…Eight nursing homes in the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg (Germany) were included in the larger overall project. The BaSAlt study protocol has already been published 15 . The baseline assessments and staff training for this study were performed between September 2020 and July 2021 in seven NH as one facility had withdrawn its participation.…”