Research-Driven Guidelines for Delivering Group Exercise Programs via Videoconferencing to Older Adults

Abstract

Telehealth holds much potential for supporting older adults’ physical and social health. In particular, telewellness interventions to support the physical and social wellness of older adults are needed to overcome participation barriers with in-person programs. This paper presents guidelines for delivering telewellness interventions to older adults, which were informed by a human factors approach to developing a Tele Tai Chi intervention for older adults with mobility disabilities, including reviewing user needs literature and conducting user-centered needs assessment research. From these findings, we developed a protocol and support materials for delivering a telewellness intervention and conducted a feasibility study. We also established an adaptation committee to provide recommendations on the intervention. The outcome of our human factors approach was the establishment of research-driven design guidelines for delivering group exercise programs to older adults using videoconferencing. The guidelines provide direction for designing a telewellness protocol, supporting remote participation, and promoting socialization and engagement. These guidelines can be used to deliver interventions that increase access to socially-engaging, physical activity programs for older adults, which can ultimately help support their physical health, mental health, and quality of life.

Adaptation of an In-Person Mind-Body Movement Program for People with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia and Care Partners for Online Delivery: Feasibility, Satisfaction and Participant-Reported Outcomes

“…These findings are in concordance with previous research pointing toward the combined physical, cognitive, and psychosocial benefits of multimodal interventions. 12,26,27 While video-based interventions for older adults that combine both physical and social components have been studied less than those focused on physical activity alone, 28 our study demonstrates the feasibility and potential benefits of an online intervention that enhances social connection among PLWD, MCI and CPs while simultaneously improving physical function. Socialization is a motivating factor for older adults' participation in community-based activities; 29 our findings suggest that technology can be used to enhance social connection rather than replacing it and that leveraging social connection can increase engagement among PLWD and MCI in an online setting.…”

“…Specifically, we demonstrate the effectiveness of using human-centered design for translating the evidence-based in-person programs to an online format designed for the specific needs of PLWD and MCI. Although user-centered design is increasingly utilized to develop health technology and online interventions for older adults, 28,35 these methods are used less frequently among PLWD/ MCI. By engaging PLWD and CPs in an iterative design process, we were able to identify the key elements critical to effective program delivery and real-time support necessary to engage this audience.…”

Loneliness predicts decreased physical activity in widowed but not married or unmarried individuals

“…Some physical activity programs, such as SilverSneakers, are covered by health plans and can be accessed by Medicare Advantage beneficiaries ( 55 ) and others are offered for nominal fees via older adult centers available to local older adults in a group setting. Additionally, the use of virtual physical activity programs has proliferated since the onset of the pandemic and has the potential to connect older adults who are less mobile or live in remote settings ( 56 ). Availability and access to these types of programs vary, however.…”

Caregiver Support Role in Occupational Therapy Video Telehealth

“…Further, while one study included in this review incorporated group-based practice, 38 OT practitioners in this study did not deliver groups, highlighting another potential gap in literature related to OT practice over telehealth. Extant literature describes group-based telerehabilitation more broadly around provision of exercise interventions, including studies that specifically describe a supporting role for caregivers 69 and studies that do not specify a role for caregivers but that detail the kinds of preparation and planning (such as setting up the camera angle to maximize visualization) 70 for which caregivers might potentially assist. Additionally, no studies included in this review addressed mental health conditions, highlighting another potential gap.…”