Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
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.
Exercise is an evidence-based strategy for managing osteoarthritis, but fewer than 15% of older adults exercise regularly. Lack of access to affordable fitness facilities and resources is often identified by older adults as a key barrier to regular exercise. However, more than half of U.S. older adults are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans which include no-cost access to SilverSneakers or other similar exercise benefits. SilverSneakers benefits provide access to more than 15,000 fitness centers/gyms nationwide, and access to online- and in-person exercise classes taught at multiple fitness…
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 65 and older. * ICD-9 or ICD-10 code for hip, knee, or general osteoarthritis. * Positive response to a standardized question from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey that asks if patient was diagnosed with osteoarthritis/arthritis and self-report confirmation of hip and/or knee pain due to their osteoarthritis/arthritis. * Continuous enrollment for at least one year in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan which provides free SilverSneakers access and both medical and prescription drug coverage. * Not currently or previously enrolled in SilverSneakers. * Speak English…
The proactive care intervention was designed to be similar to proactive care approaches used successfully in the tobacco control area. These proactive care procedures have not yet been adequately evaluated in the exercise promotion area.
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