DIALOR - DIgitAL cOaching for fRailty
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14750569 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14750569 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 314988 |
| Protocol serial number | 12369, IRAS 314988 |
| Sponsor | Bournemouth University |
| Funder | NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex |
- Submission date
- 24/10/2023
- Registration date
- 06/11/2023
- Last edited
- 06/11/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Frailty is a condition that affects one in ten people over the age of 65. It means people are at higher risk of falls, disability and poorer quality of life. Some may struggle with decreased energy levels, poor appetite, lower strength and having difficulty with household tasks such as shopping and cooking. As the population ages, frailty also impacts on health and social care services because of more GP appointments and increased hospital and care homes admissions. More people are owning a smartphone with applications (apps) and have access to the internet. This technology can help people to live well by enabling access to person-centred advice and care. It can help share in decision-making to meet well-being and health needs and reduce the burden on health and social care. However little research has been done, particularly for people with frailty, living at home. This study aims to explore whether a digital approach for long-term disease management with support from health coaches can help the lifestyle management of frailty (in its early stages). The approach has been used across the NHS in people with long-term conditions and this can be transferred to people with frailty.
Who can participate
Patients aged ≥ 65 years scoring as mild or moderately frail using the Electronic Frailty Index and 1 or more long-term conditions including COPD, type 2 diabetes, heart disease or asthma who live in their own homes
What does the study involve?
The study team will collaborate with individuals living with frailty, their caregivers, health coaches, and healthcare professionals, who are all considered key stakeholders. This collaboration will unfold through two distinct work-packages (WP) in Wessex, encompassing two regions: WP1 in Dorset and Hampshire, and WP2 in Dorset.
Within WP1, a novel digital health coaching approach will be developed. The process will involve conducting interviews with 20 individuals experiencing frailty, as well as family caregivers, in addition to holding focus groups with 20 healthcare professionals and health coaches. The data collected from these interviews and focus groups will be analyzed to identify recurring themes that will inform the development and refinement of the health coaching intervention.
In WP2, the study team will undertake the training of health coaches to administer the new digital health coaching intervention. Furthermore, they will assess the effectiveness of their study procedures and evaluate associated costs. Data will be gathered from 50 individuals living with frailty, covering aspects such as physical activity, dietary habits, social engagement, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Participants will also be asked about their perceptions and experiences with the new digital approach. To gain further insights, 20 of these participants will be interviewed, and focus group discussions will be conducted with 20 health coaches, 20 healthcare professionals, and commissioners of care services from both regions. The information collected will be used to gauge the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention, ultimately aiding in the planning of a more extensive study to implement the approach across Wessex on a broader scale.
Patient and public involvement
A group of family carers and health coaches will support the project by membership of a group to support project design, delivery, analysis and reporting and advise on how these findings are shared.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from a reduction in their medical conditions, or find that their conditions remain stable, and do not worsen with the support of a health coach to reach their health-related goals. Anonymised findings will be shared with local health and social care organisations. This may lead to service changes that may also benefit them in the future.
The study team do not anticipate any risks directly by taking part in the study. Participants may discuss something upsetting with their health coach or researchers during interviews; if this happens, they are able to stop the session, and further support will be offered through the research team and signposting.
Where is the study run from?
Bournemouth University (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2022 to October 2024
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Professor Jane Murphy, jmurphy@bournemouth.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth Gateway Building
St. Pauls Lane
Bournemouth
BH8 8GP
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-3531-5566 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)7872048915 |
| jmurphy@bournemouth.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Non-randomized single-group pretest/post-test study using qualitative and quantitative methods |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Implementation of a digital health coaching intervention for older people with frailty in Wessex |
| Study acronym | DIALOR |
| Study objectives | Is it feasible and acceptable to use a digital approach alongside support from health coaches to support the lifestyle management of frailty (in its early stages)? |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 19/01/2023, Health and Care Research Wales (5-15, Castlebridge, 19 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff, CF11 9AB, United Kingdom; +44 (0)29 2023 0457; HCRW.approvals@wales.nhs.uk), ref: 22/SS/0064 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Improve the management of the symptoms of early to moderate frailty and long-term health conditions |
| Intervention | The digital health coaching intervention (DIALOR - DIgitAL cOaching for fRailty) has been developed for implementation to older adults, aged 65 years or older with mild to moderate frailty and diagnosis of one or more long-term health conditions in the community. The DIALOR intervention will include two key components: 1. Digital Health Coaching This will include digital health coaching sessions with a qualified health coach. An online platform (Zoom/Accurx/Microsoft Teams) will be used to deliver the digital HC intervention. 2. Mobile health platform A suite of web-based platforms offering tailored clinical advice and support and self-management resources for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (details of the online platform can be accessed via https://mymhealth.com/). The platforms can be accessed by any electronic device (e.g., smartphone, tablet or television) that has an active internet connection. Participants will undertake 12 weeks of fortnightly 45-minute digital health coaching appointments delivered digitally (via Zoom or Microsoft Teams) supported by 6 months of access to a long-term condition self-management platform for the following conditions; diabetes mellitus, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease. 1. Older adults (>65y) are identified by participating PCN/GP surgery via reporting measures built into the electronic clinical record system (SystmOne) and/or: 1.1. Older adults (>65y) identified from secondary care services during clinical consultation (within medical and falls clinics in a geriatric department at UHD) and/or: 1.2. Older adults (>65y) who respond to traditional recruitment means (posters/leaflets) visible in public clinical waiting areas and contact the research team 2. Participants are given information sheets/consent forms 3. Participant completes and sends consent form to the research team and registers interest 4. The research team screens participants' eligibility with the participating GP surgery 5. Eligibility confirmed and the research team completes the pre-study assessment battery digitally 6. Participating GP surgery activates my mHealth account and sends a referral to the Dorset self-management service 7. (Optional) Participant takes part in 1-1 interviews with the research team 8. Participant attends 12 weeks of digital health coaching 9. Research team completes the second assessment battery within 2 weeks of finishing health coaching 10. Participant continues using my mHealth applications for LTC self-management for 6 months 11. (Optional) Participants take part in 1-1 interviews with the research team 12. Research team completes the third and final assessment battery/final study interview |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Primary outcome measures are the feasibility and acceptability of the DIALOR intervention. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
A range of secondary outcomes measures will be assessed at baseline, on completion of 6 health coaching sessions and at 6 months, unless otherwise stated: |
| Completion date | 01/10/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Senior |
| Lower age limit | 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 50 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged ≥ 65 years 2. Scoring as mild or moderately frail using the Electronic Frailty Index 3. Diagnosis of 1 or more long-term conditions including COPD, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or asthma 4. Living in their own homes 5. Capacity to consent to participate 6. Able to communicate fluently enough in English to take part in the study 7. Able to recall their experiences sufficiently to engage with a health coach 8. Self-reported ability to use digital technology independently or with support |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Nursing home resident or on active waiting list for a place 2. Individuals who have a terminal illness and are being managed for end-of-life needs 3. Lacking capacity to consent (e.g., advanced dementia) |
| Date of first enrolment | 09/10/2023 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/04/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Blandford Forum
DT11 7BH
United Kingdom
Christchurch
BH23 3AF
United Kingdom
Bournemouth
BH1 4HA
United Kingdom
Bournemouth
BH23 2JX
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Published as a supplement to the results publication |
| IPD sharing plan | All data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
06/11/2023: Study's existence confirmed by Health and Care Research Wales.
