title: Stakeholder involvement in the design of a patient-centered comparative effectiveness trial of the "On the Move" group exercise program in community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: Group exercise programs for older adults often exclude the timing and coordination of movement. Stakeholder involvement in the research process is strongly encouraged and improves the relevance and adoption of findings. We describe stakeholder involvement in the design of a clinical trial of a group-based exercise program that incorporates timing and coordination of movement into the exercises.
  
  
  
  The study was a cluster randomized, single-blind intervention trial to compare the effects on function, disability and mobility of a standard group exercise program and the "On the Move" group exercise program in older adults residing in independent living facilities and senior apartment buildings, and attending community centers. Exercise classes were twice weekly for 12weeks delivered by study exercise leaders and facility activity staff personnel.
  
  
  
  The primary outcomes function, disability and mobility were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Function and disability were assessed using the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument, and mobility using the Six-Minute Walk Test and gait speed.
  
  
  
  Patient and provider stakeholders had significant input into the study aims, design, sample, intervention, outcomes and operational considerations.
  
  
  
  A community-based exercise program to improve walking can be developed to address both investigator identified missing components in current exercise to improve walking and stakeholder defined needs and interest for the activity program. Involvement of stakeholders substantially improves the relevance of research questions, increases the transparency of research activities and may accelerate the adoption of research into practice.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States. Electronic address: jbrach@pitt.edu.
authors: Jennifer S
authors: JS
authors: Brach
authors: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors: Subashan
authors: S
authors: Perera
authors: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Community Provider Services, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Gilmore
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors: Jessie M
authors: JM
authors: VanSwearingen
authors: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Community Provider Services, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Brodine
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Wert
authors: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors: Neelesh K
authors: NK
authors: Nadkarni
authors: Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors: Edmund
authors: E
authors: Ricci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D044469:Racial Groups; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016138:Walking; D000072797:Walking Speed
keywords: Aging; Community-based; Disability; Exercise; Stakeholders