Reframing Expectations About Aging - Physical Activity and Inclusive Reappraisal
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
University of Barcelona
342 participants
Jul 28, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to promote positive views on aging and walking in Spanish partners aged 65 years and over. The trial will comprise three arms. In the first arm, both partners will undertake the intervention together. In the second arm, only one of the two partners will undertake the intervention. In the third arm (control) none of the partners will undertake the intervention. Collection of quantitative data will make it possible to test the following hypotheses: 1. Differently from arm three, those participants from arms one and two who undertake the intervention will experience changes in primary and secondary intervention outcomes between pre- and post-intervention and these changes will be maintained at follow-ups. 2. Compared to delivering the intervention to only one partner, delivering it to both partners will lead to a greater and more lasting change in primary and secondary intervention outcomes. 3. In the group where only one partner will undertake the intervention, their change in intervention outcomes is observed at least to a small extent in the other partner. Qualitative data collected at the end of the intervention through interviews of ten couples from each of arms one and two will make it possible to test three additional research questions: 1. How do participants in Group one engage with the intervention tasks, and to what extent do they undertake these tasks jointly as a couple? 2. In what ways do participants in Group two involve their non-participating partner in the intervention activities? 3. What changes do participants in Groups one and two report in their views of themselves and their aging, as well as in their perceptions of and interactions with their partner? Participants will undertake a multicomponent intervention comprising: * Three in-person psychoeducational sessions aiming to promote positive views on aging, including positive self-perceptions of aging, and accurate facts about aging * Independent walking for 12 weeks Primary intervention outcomes are changes in participants' self-perceptions of aging and physical activity engagement. Secondary intervention outcomes are changes in ageism, subjective views of couple's joint aging, perceived age-related changes in one's partner, mood, physical fitness, and cognitive functioning.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- 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.
Exclusion Criteria6
- 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.
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Interventions
This intervention was developed by Wolff, Warner (47) in 2013-2014; refined by Beyer, Wolff (59) in 2017-2018; and further refined for this project. It will be delivered through three in-person one-hour sessions by two psychologists. it will include homework between sessions two and three. The first session will consist of a quiz on aging with questions about healthy aging and aging in general to detect own negative personal views on aging and misconceptions regarding aging. The second session will provide information on the benefits of more positive views on aging on health, functional and cognitive abilities, and longevity. During the third session participants are thought a technique to modify negative automatic thoughts about aging and asked/invited to put in practice this technique. Finally, the intervention ends with a focus on positive views on aging and their importance for one's health and wellbeing.
The intervention lasts 12 weeks and is based on international guidelines of physical exercise. Participants will be instructed to walk briskly in one continuous bout (45 minutes for 5 days, 225 minutes per week). Intensity, duration, and times per week will be initiated in a stepwise manner to reduce the possibility of injury. During the first week participants will be asked to walk 30 minutes at 9-10 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (i.e., light intensity). During the second week, participants will be asked to walk 45 minutes with the same intensity. During the remaining weeks, participants will be asked to maintain the duration of 45 minutes and increase the intensity of the activity to a moderate-high effort that corresponds with 12-14 in the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale.
Locations(1)
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NCT07113860