What this Trial Is About

This trial investigates the short-term effects of a virtual, community-based, task-oriented group exercise program called TIME™ at Home. It focuses on community-dwelling adults with balance and mobility limitations, conditions common in people with chronic health issues like stroke and multiple sclerosis. The study aims to evaluate whether this online exercise program can improve physical and mental health outcomes, caregiver mood and assistance, and everyday function compared to a waitlist control group. It also explores how mobility level, sex, or gender might influence participants' experiences and assesses the program's cost-effectiveness. Participants are randomly assigned to either join the 8-week TIME™ at Home exercise program delivered via Zoom from their homes or to a waitlist control group that waits 5 months before starting the program. Each exercise session includes a 15-minute safety check and social time before and after streaming a 1-hour pre-recorded video featuring seated warm-up, functional exercises, and cooldown. Exercises are demonstrated at two difficulty levels by healthcare professionals, and a healthcare partner visits select classes to support participants and facilitators. Groups have up to 10 people and are guided by two trained facilitators. During the study, participants and their caregivers complete assessments via Zoom at the start, 2 months (immediately post-intervention), and 5 months (3 months post-intervention). Participants perform balance and walking tests and fill out questionnaires, while caregivers complete questionnaires about mood and assistance. Researchers measure changes in physical and social outcomes using the Subjective Index of Physical and Social Outcome-Physical scale (SIPSO-P), along with secondary outcomes like mobility, well-being, reliance on walking aids, and caregiver confidence. This comprehensive monitoring aims to understand the program's impact on participants and their caregivers.

TIME™ at Home Randomized Controlled Trial