Proactive Care for Osteoarthritis

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by Liza S. Rovniak, PhD, MPH

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The aim of this pragmatic randomized controlled trial is to test the effects of a brief proactive care intervention involving mailed material and two phone calls on: (1) increasing participation in SilverSneakers exercise programs among older adults with osteoarthritis; (2) improving physical, social and psychological outcomes identified as important to older adults with osteoarthritis; and (3) reducing costly osteoarthritis-related health service use. Approximately 1,454 older adults with osteoarthritis who have SilverSneakers access through their Medicare Advantage plan, but no prior SilverSneakers use, will be recruited to participate across the United States. Key outcome measures will be assessed over a two-year follow-up period.

Research Team

Liza S. Rovniak, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Penn State College of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults with osteoarthritis who have access to SilverSneakers through Medicare Advantage but haven't used it. The study aims to engage these individuals in exercise programs to improve their physical, social, and psychological well-being while reducing healthcare costs related to osteoarthritis.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hip, knee, or another joint.

I understand the consent form and do not have dementia.

I am 65 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Medicare/Medicaid dual enrollment due to limited data accessibility for this group

Receiving hospice care or under long-term institutional care (Part C) due to limited data accessibility for this group

I have not had major surgery in the last month and do not plan any that will limit my physical activity in the next year.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Proactive Care (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The trial is testing a proactive care intervention that includes sending materials by mail and making two phone calls, aiming to increase participation in SilverSneakers exercise programs among seniors with osteoarthritis.

Participant Groups

Group I: Proactive Care Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Proactive Care condition will consist of one mailing to alert older adults to the existence of their SilverSneakers benefit, followed by two action-planning phone calls to prompt activation and use of the SilverSneakers exercise benefit. The action-planning calls will guide older adults through an action plan to activate their SilverSneakers benefits, and choose convenient joint-friendly SilverSneakers exercise options appropriate for their fitness level. Exercise options are available both online and in-person. An information sheet will also be faxed to older adults' primary care providers to encourage further discussion about SilverSneakers.

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

The Usual Care condition will include the standard information provided to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries about SilverSneakers.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

515

Recruited

2,873,000+

Dr. Robert Harbaugh

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Chief Medical Officer since 2024

MD from Penn State College of Medicine

Don McKenna

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Chief Executive Officer since 2024

Master’s in Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from Long Island University

Kaiser Permanente

Collaborator

Trials

563

Recruited

27,400,000+

Greg A. Adams

Kaiser Permanente

Chief Executive Officer since 2019

MBA from University of Southern California

Dr. Edward M. Ellison

Kaiser Permanente

Chief Medical Officer since 2015

MD from Harvard Medical School

Humana Healthcare Research

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,500+

Global Healthy Living Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

6

Recruited

46,600+

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

592

Recruited

27,110,000+

Nakela L. Cook

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Chief Executive Officer since 2020

MD, MPH

Harv Feldman

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Chief Medical Officer

MD, MSCE

CVS Healthspire Life Sciences Solutions

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,500+

Tivity Health

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,500+