Implementing Physical Activity Studies During COVID-19 and Winter Storms: Lessons Learned. (17th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Na, Annalisa; Murphy, Calliope; Chao, Tony; Morrison, Charles; Chapman, Karen; Lindsey, Ronald; Hastings, Mary
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 5(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 2021-12-17
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Patient recruitment and retention are challenging for longitudinal studies. Stay-at-home restrictions for the Galveston and Houston regions in 2020 for COVID-19 and in 2021 for the Winter Storms shut down elective healthcare activities and created additional recruitment barriers during the implementation of a 12-month study examining the physical function of older adults receiving a total knee arthroplasty. This presentation describes recruitment and retention strategies during natural disasters. Ten participants started the study during the pandemic and 6 remained through the winter storms (3 withdrew, 1 no showed). Physical activity monitors were distributed and collected through mail, patient reported outcomes were completed online or over the phone, clinician-initiated measures were only collected when clinics were open, and efforts were made to minimize staff burden and follow evolving hospital guidelines. Most importantly, regular communication and follow-up with participants, research team, and department personnel created a sense of community.