MOWI Home-Based Pilot

The goal of this study is to conduct a program of pilot research aimed at developing and evaluating a technology-assisted wellness intervention for older adults with obesity.

The national epidemic of obesity is also affecting older adults, and is associated with an increased risk of disability, nursing home placement and early mortality. Conventional weight loss programs have the potential to reduce body fat, but are difficult to access for older obese adults due to transportation and mobility challenges. The overarching goal of this study is to conduct a program of pilot research aimed at developing and evaluating a technology assisted wellness intervention for older adults with obesity. Study Timeline: September 2018 to April 2021: Goal: Conduct a study of improving weight and physical function in older adults with obesity at home using video-conferencing. An mHealth obesity wellness intervention (MOWI) will integrate a fitness device with a weekly individual dietician-led nutritional session, along with twice weekly physical therapist led group exercise session performed in a person's home. Participation Duration: Three times weekly for 6 months. We shall also have participants return to the center once monthly

Conduct and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of home-based MOWI in improving physical function.

MOWI will be delivered via video-conferencing in the subject's home in a 3x per week, 26-week program from the coordinating center. It will include an individual dietician-led weekly nutrition session; 2x/week physical therapist-led group exercise session; and remote fitness device monitoring. We plan 5 cohorts of 8 subjects (n=40). In-person Research Assistant-led assessments will occur at 0, 8, 16 and 26 weeks. Recruitment, screening, selection criteria, and usability parallel Aim 2 (NCT03104192).

A surrogate for cardiovascular fitness that measures distance (normal 400-700m) related to function. A clinically important difference is 50-55m

Gait speed is measured by the time it takes to walk 20 meters. Gait speed predicts disability and mortality (a significant change is considered 0.1 meters per second).

LLFDI consists of a 32-item function and 16-item disability (life-task) scales that correlate with gait speed and lower limb function. For this instrument we use only the 32-item function and scores are scaled. Minimum 0, Maximum 100. Higher scores indicate higher levels of function

Patient Activation Measure (PAM) assesses knowledge, confidence and skill for managing health and grouped into 4 levels revealing insights into attitudes, motivators, behaviors & outcomes. Score ranges from 0 to 100, higher scores indicate higher activation.

Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Global Short Form. PROMIS is a 10-item instrument capturing physical, mental and social aspects of quality of life having undergone quantitative appraisal and is non-proprietary. A score of 50 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 10. Higher scores indicate better health.

CHAMPS is a self-reported tool in older adults that assesses activity levels and types. A change in score represents a change in the rates of participants in that specific category. A lower number (mean) represents a decrease in the proportion of individuals, while a positive change indicates an increase in the rate of persons. For caloric input, this continuous measure aligns with changes in calories based on activity type per week.

Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors Physical Activity Questionnaire (CHAMPS) - Frequency Per Week

CHAMPS is a self-reported tool in older adults that assesses activity levels and types. A change in score represents a change in the rates of participants in that specific category. A lower number (mean) represents a decrease in the proportion of individuals, while a positive change indicates an increase in the rate of persons. For caloric input, this continuous measure aligns with changes in calories based on activity type per week.

Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors Physical Activity Questionnaire (CHAMPS) - Hours Per Week

CHAMPS is a self-reported tool in older adults that assesses activity levels and types. A change in score represents a change in the rates of participants in that specific category. A lower number (mean) represents a decrease in the proportion of individuals, while a positive change indicates an increase in the rate of persons. For caloric input, this continuous measure aligns with changes in calories based on activity type per week.

Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥65 years Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m^2 OR Waist circumference ≥88cm in females or ≥102cm in males Have Wi-Fi high speed internet Able to obtain medical clearance from doctor Have less than a 5% weight loss in past 6 months No advanced co-morbidity No exercise restrictions Not involved in other research studies that may interfere with participation Exclusion Criteria: Severe mental or life-threatening illness Dementia Substance use History of bariatric surgery Suicidal ideation Unable to perform measures Reside in nursing home No advanced co-morbidity No exercise restrictions Not involved in other research studies that may interfere with participation

Batsis JA, Petersen CL, Clark MM, Cook SB, Kotz D, Gooding TL, Roderka MN, Al-Nimr RI, Pidgeon D, Haedrich A, Wright KC, Aquila C, Mackenzie TA. Feasibility and acceptability of a technology-based, rural weight management intervention in older adults with obesity. BMC Geriatr. 2021 Jan 12;21(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01978-x.

Mobile Health Obesity Wellness Intervention in Rural Older Adults (MOWI): Amulet Technology Development & Validation