Reframing expectations about aging to boost walking and positive views in older couples

Reframing Expectations About Aging - Physical Activity and Inclusive Reappraisal (RE-PAIR): Protocol of an Intervention Aiming to Promote Positive Views on Aging and Behavior Change in Older Couples

This project tests whether a program that helps older couples reframe aging can improve how they view aging and increase walking when given to both partners, only one partner, or to neither.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 342 (estimated)
• Ages: 65 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Barcelona (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Barcelona, Catalonia)
• Trial ID: NCT07113860 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized pre- and post-intervention trial in Barcelona will deliver a multicomponent psychoeducational and behavioral program (RE-PAIR) to older couples in three arms: both partners receive it, only one partner receives it, or neither partner receives it (control). The intervention targets self-perceptions of aging and physical activity, with primary outcomes measuring changes in those domains and secondary outcomes including ageism, couple-level views of aging, mood, physical fitness, and cognition. Quantitative measures will be collected before, after, and at follow-ups to test whether changes are sustained and whether delivering the program to both partners yields larger or longer-lasting effects than delivering it to a single partner. Participants must be community-dwelling couples aged 65 or older who speak Catalan or Spanish and have internet-capable devices.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Community-dwelling couples (spouses, cohabitants, or long-standing partners) aged 65 or older, fluent in Catalan or Spanish, living in or near Barcelona, with internet-capable devices and both partners willing to consent.

Not a fit: People who are under 65, not in a qualifying partnership, do not speak Catalan or Spanish, live far outside the Barcelona area, or cannot use or access an internet-capable device are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help older couples view aging more positively and increase walking and physical activity, with downstream improvements in mood, fitness, and daily functioning.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research testing the same psychoeducational intervention has shown efficacy, supporting the current trial's approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria are:

* living in the community in Barcelona or nearby areas;
* both partners being aged ≥ 65 years;
* speaking fluent Catalan or Spanish;
* being married, having a partner with whom they co-habit, or having had a partner for at least one year and with whom they meet at least twice a week;
* having access to a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer with internet;
* both partners being willing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent.

Although the use of a chronological age cut-off to define older people is inherently arbitrary, this study adopts the threshold of 65 years and older to establish inclusion criteria for participation. This decision reflects the increasing self-relevance of age-stereotypes and self-perceptions of aging in later life, particularly among the oldest age groups. Participants can either possess a device that can be connected to the internet or use the device of a family member, neighbor, or friend. Moreover, participants with low technology literacy can nonetheless take part in the study as during baseline assessment the research team will show them how to complete the online questionnaires. Moreover, the research team will be available via email and phone to answer participants' queries related to completion of the online questionnaires. Both retired and working people are eligible to take part in the study. People of any race can take part in the study. Couples of all sexual orientations are welcome to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria are:

* having a self-reported or clinically diagnosed neurodegenerative disorder, and/or an Adult Lifestyles and Function Interview Mini Mental State Examination (ALFI-MMSE) score of \< 15 out of 22, indicating mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The research team has considerable experience with the administration of the MMSE and will adjust scores for individuals with low cultural background;
* currently having a clinical diagnosis of mental health disorder that significantly impacts on the daily functioning of the individual (i.e., a diagnosis that significantly impacts the participants ability to work, do house chores, and/or engage socially);
* current substance use disorder (alcohol or drug abuse), or a history of substance abuse within the past five years that may interfere with study participation or adherence to the intervention;
* having a physical condition or physical limitations that impair from starting a physical activity intervention consisting in walking between three to five times per week and to do some physical tasks such as stand up from and sit down on a chair and back scratch;
* severe hearing impairment (deafness).

Physical limitations will be self-reported by participants via phone but also further objectively assessed by the researchers at baseline assessment. Individuals with neurodegenerative disorders will be excluded as it could be difficult for them to understand and participate in the psychoeducational sessions, and/or engage in brisk walking. Individuals with current severe mental health disorders and/or with substance abuse will be excluded as these groups are less likely to be compliant with intervention conditions. However, individuals with more common mental health disorders (i.e., depressive disorders and anxiety disorders) that are not severe enough to significantly impact the daily functioning of the individual will be allowed to take part in the study. Individuals with significant physical limitations will be excluded as they could put themselves at risk of falling while engaging in physical activity/walking.

Where this trial is running

Barcelona, Catalonia

• Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology at the University of Barcelona. — Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Serena Sabatini, PhD in Psychology — University of Barcelona
• Study coordinator: Serena Sabatini, PhD in Psychology

Conditions Self-perceptions of Aging; Physical Activity; Physical activity; Walking; Self-Perceptions of Aging; Ageism; Subjective aging; couples