RecruitingNot Applicable

Activating SilverSneakers Benefits for Seniors With Osteoarthritis

United States1,454 participantsStarted 2026-01-21

Plain-language summary

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.

Who can participate

Age range65 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

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 or Spanish. * Physical/mental capacity to provide informed consent, based on not having an ICD-9 or ICD-10 code for dementia and being able to answer three questions to verify comprehension of the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Another person in the same household is enrolling/enrolled in the study (to prevent treatment contamination, only one participant per household can participate). * 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. * Receiving care from a provider credentialed through a delegated arrangement (i.e., delegated provider), due to limited data accessibility for this group. * Lack of a valid mailing address in the Humana medical claims databases.

What they're measuring

Physical Function (subscale)

Timeframe: Administered at baseline and at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up; reported score for the primary outcome is the change between baseline and 24-month follow-up.

SilverSneakers Activation

Timeframe: Obtained from Humana health claims databases at baseline and at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up; the number of participants who enrolled in SilverSneakers and used the benefit is calculated as a cumulative total across all assessment points.

SilverSneakers Long-Term Participation Rate

Timeframe: Obtained from Humana health claims databases at 12- and 24-month follow-up; primary outcome measured at 24-month follow-up.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06782347

SponsorMilton S. Hershey Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-07

Contact for this trial

Liza S. Rovniak, PhD, MPH

717-531-8161 lrovniak@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Osteoarthritis trials