Targeting functional fitness, hearing and health-related quality of life in older adults with hearing loss: Walk, Talk 'n' Listen, study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundHearing loss (HL) is a disability associated with poorer health-related quality of life including an increased risk for loneliness, isolation, functional fitness declines, falls, hospitalization and premature mortality. The purpose of this pilot trial is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel intervention to reduce loneliness, improve functional fitness, social connectedness, hearing and health-related quality of life in older adults with HL.MethodsThis 10-week, single-blind, pilot randomized control trial (RCT) will include a convenience sample of ambulatory adults aged 65 years or older with self-reported HL. Following baseline assessments, participants will be randomized to either intervention (exercise, health education, socialization and group auditory rehabilitation (GAR)) or control (GAR only) groups. The intervention group will attend a local YMCA twice a week and the control group once a week. Intervention sessions will include 45 min of strengthening, balance and resistance exercises, 30 min of group walking at a self-selected pace and 60 min of interactive health education or GAR. The control group will attend 60-min GAR sessions. GAR sessions will include education about hearing, hearing technologies, enhancing communication skills, and psychosocial support. Pre-post trial data collection and measures will include: functional fitness (gait speed, 30-s Sit to Stand Test), hearing and health-related quality of life, loneliness, depression, social participation and social support. At trial end, feasibility (recruitment, randomization, retention, acceptability) and GAR will be evaluated.DiscussionDespite evidence suggesting that HL is associated with declines in functional fitness, there are no studies aimed at addressing functional fitness declines associated with the disability of HL. This pilot trial will provide knowledge about the physical, mental and social impacts on health related to HL as a disability. This will inform the feasibility of a larger RCT and preliminary evidence about the initial effects of a novel, community-based, holistic intervention addressing both the negative psychosocial and functional physical effects of HL among older adults.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02662192. Registered on 14 January 2016Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1792-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Walk, Talk and Listen: a pilot randomised controlled trial targeting functional fitness and loneliness in older adults with hearing loss

“…Detailed WTL methodology is reported elsewhere 25. Briefly, in partnership with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Okanagan, WTL was a 10-week prospective single-blind randomised controlled pilot trial of interactive GAR (control) versus GAR plus interactive SHE and strengthening exercises in community-dwelling, ambulatory older adults (age 65 or above) with self-reported26 HL (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02662192.…”

“…Potential participants contacting the trial centre underwent preliminary telephone eligibility assessment after the study was briefly described and verbal consent obtained. At the YMCA, eligible25 participants signed informed consent and underwent baseline (week 0) and follow-up (week 11) assessments completed by trained students and research team members. All procedures included groups of 10–20 participants and took place in a small, acoustically favourable meeting room and/or a small gym at the same YMCA site over a period of 10 weeks.…”

“…Intervention group 1-hour GAR sessions were followed by 60 min of exercise (strength, resistance and coordination training: 45 min) and walking (outside or on indoor track: 15 min). On their second weekly visit, intervention participants attended a 1-hour interactive SHE session25 followed by 60 min of exercise and walking. A certified YMCA trainer facilitated the exercise sessions.…”