Group movement classes to help veterans in community living centers keep their independence
Official title: Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise in Community Living Centers (PLIE-CLC)
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11421139 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project trains VA care staff to lead gentle group movement sessions that help veterans with dementia stay active, connected, and better able to do daily tasks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2024 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX002764-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421139 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans living in VA Community Living Centers who have dementia and can participate in seated or standing group movement activities.
✕Less likely to help
People who are medically unstable, unable to join group activities due to severe behavioral symptoms or advanced physical frailty, or who do not reside in a VA CLC may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
If I live in a VA Community Living Center with dementia, staff would be trained to lead a program called PLIÉ that uses simple group movements, music, and social interaction to support memory and daily functioning. The team will adapt PLIÉ for the nursing-home setting and develop remote training so staff can learn the program without traveling. They will pilot the training at participating CLCs and watch how residents respond over time. Researchers will collect information on daily skills, behavior, mood, and quality of life and study what helps staff keep the program going.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help residents maintain daily skills, reduce dementia-related behaviors, and improve mood and social engagement.
How similar studies have gone: Previous PLIÉ programs have shown promise for improving function and engagement in people with dementia, but adapting and scaling it for VA Community Living Centers is a new step.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barnes, Deborah E. — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Barnes, Deborah E.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.