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FRIEND Trial Design and Implementation: Educational Modules and Robust exercise for Frailty in Aged Care

Tracks
Ballroom 3
Best practice
Exercise
Implementation
Models of Care
Non-pharmacological interventions
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Speaker

Dr Michael Inskip
Senior Lecturer And Clinical Educator
James Cook University

FRIEND Trial Design and Implementation: Educational Modules and Robust exercise for Frailty in Aged Care

Abstract

Introduction: Virtually all older adults living within residential aged care are at risk of, or are currently frail, increasing the risk of adverse events. Progressive resistance exercise is a potent anecdote to the catabolic effects of frailty and is recommended along with medication and nutrition optimisation as best-practice frailty management. However, there is poor implementation of robust exercise in aged care. We report the preliminary feasibility of comprehensive exercise education and investigator-supported delivery as part of a holistic, frailty intervention.

Methods: The Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Robust Exercise, Nutrition, and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial (ANZCTR No.ACTRN12622000926730p) is a hybrid implementation-effectiveness translational trial evaluating the implementation of best-practice frailty intervention in a residential aged care facility (Townsville, Australia). The exercise component involves two educational modules (~3 hours total) and investigator-supported, exercise physiologist-led exercise involving progressive resistance and balance exercise 1-2 times/week over 12 months. Preliminary provision of the education modules and uptake of exercise delivery was evaluated using institutional participation metrics for the first six months.

Results: 27 residents completed in-person frailty education. 30 caregivers and 21 staff were offered the exercise education modules. A graduate accredited exercise physiologist was employed by the facility for exercise implementation. 29 residents were offered training over the first six months of intervention (505 sessions, 658 hours of exercise delivery; 75.1% delivered by staff).

Conclusions: The FRIEND exercise component was delivered to key stakeholders and institutional changes were made to facilitate long-term translation. Final trial results and wider dissemination of education modules are expected late-2024.

Biography

Dr Michael Inskip is currently a senior lecturer, clinical educator, and early career researcher in exercise physiology at James Cook University, Townsville who has a passion for improving the assessment and provision of best practice care for those vulnerable older adults in the community and in aged care, including those with neurological conditions and movement disorders, frailty and dementia. He is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with over 10 years of clinical and research trial experience in the assessment and treatment of frailty with high intensity progressive resistance training in older adults. As part of his role at James Cook University, he practices and supervises students within a student-led exercise physiology clinic which treats a diverse clientele including those with frailty, movement disorders, dementia and other neurological conditions. Additionally, he is also the course coordinator for the Clinical Exercise Physiology Program, coordinator of the Honours degree program and an emerging research leader member of the College of Healthcare Sciences Research Leadership Group. He is particularly interested in expanding the scope of practice for future exercise physiologists and the broader aged care workforce through equipping students and professionals with broad skillsets for the assessment and provision of targeted exercise. In 2020, he completed his PhD at the University of Sydney on physical activity and cognitive impairment. Michael has authored eight peer-reviewed publications, two e-book chapters, and has been an investigator on grants totalling more than $200,000 for projects to improve the lives of older adults, including recently attracting research funding in excess of $135,000 to continue his work in partnering with a local aged care facility the Good Shepherd Home, to reduce frailty in residents through the Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Robust Exercise, Nutrition and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial.

Session Chair

Agenda Item Image
Sze-Ee Soh
Senior Lecturer
Monash University

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