Virtual Physical Activity Program for Older Family Care Partners of People with Heart Failure
This study is testing a virtual exercise program to help older adults who take care of family members. We hope to help them feel better both physically and mentally, so they can feel more confident and capable in their caregiving.
Why this Research Matters
Family caregivers often have their own health problems. This is especially true for older caregivers because they may have more physical stress, more health issues that come with aging, and less support from others. Regular exercise may help older caregivers feel better, stay strong, and handle the challenges of caregiving more easily.
What to Expect
If you join the study, you will be placed into one of two groups. One group will do exercise sessions on Zoom, get encouraging text messages, and use a Fitbit to track their activity and sleep for 12 weeks. Each week, you will either have an exercise session or get a motivational text message. You will connect with the study team three times each week through exercise sessions or text messages. For the first two weeks, the exercise sessions will be 50 minutes long. After that, they will be 20 minutes. The other group will get a booklet with information on how to care for yourself as a caregiver and three text messages each week with helpful tips from the booklet. Both groups will get a Fitbit to track their activity and sleep.
Study Duration
You will be in the study for 24 weeks. The physical activity program will last for the first 12 weeks. No matter which group you are in, you will have a virtual check-in at week 16 and again at week 24.
Who can Participate
You may be able to join this study if you:
- Are 50 years old or older
- Take care of someone who is 50 or older and has heart failure
- Provide at least 8 hours of unpaid care each week
- Can do basic exercises such as walking and using your arms
- Do not do more than 30 minutes of moderate exercise on 3 or more days each week
- Own a smartphone and feel comfortable using technology
- Can be contacted by phone, text, and email
- Have a space at home that is at least 6 feet by 6 feet for exercise
- Have trouble walking one block or climbing stairs without chest pain, trouble breathing, or dizziness
- Have had falls or have a serious or unstable heart or lung problems
- Are already in another exercise or health study, or were in one in the past 6 months
Study ID
Protocol Number: 21-4757
Compensation Information
Meet the Team
Dawon Baik
Principal Investigator