Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Reablement Intervention for Older Adults in Day Care Centers

Taiwan80 participantsStarted 2025-12-04

Plain-language summary

This study explores the effectiveness of reablement interventions for older adults with declining mobility in adult day care centers and compares them with traditional exercise interventions. In recent years, reablement has gained increasing attention. It is a person-centered approach that emphasizes goal-oriented training through activities of daily living, combined with interdisciplinary collaboration, to enhance individuals' self-care abilities and participation in daily life. In contrast, exercise interventions are typically structured programs focusing on improving muscle strength, balance, and endurance. While both approaches aim to enhance physical function, they differ in philosophy, implementation context, and motivational mechanisms. Reablement emphasizes meaningful, individualized, and context-based activities, which may enhance motivation and adherence, whereas exercise interventions are more standardized and efficient but may lack relevance to daily life, potentially affecting long-term engagement. This study adopts a quasi-experimental design to compare the effects of reablement and exercise interventions on mobility, fear of falling, activities of daily living, and subjective well-being among older adults. It also evaluates the feasibility of implementing reablement in day care centers. Additionally, participants' preferences, attendance, and engagement in different intervention approaches are examined to address the current gap in comparative research. Overall, the findings suggest that incorporating reablement into day care services-through individualized goal setting and interdisciplinary collaboration-can enhance functional performance, quality of life, and independence among older adults. The results also provide important evidence for future long-term care policy and practice, supporting a shift from a care-oriented model to a function-oriented approach, and ultimately promoting aging in place and independent living.

Who can participate

Age range

65 Years

Sex

ALL

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 years or older and assessed as Long-Term Care (LTC) need level 2 or above. * Regularly attending adult day care services at least two days per week, with no anticipated termination of services during the study period (approximately three months). * Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) results indicating intact, mild, or moderate cognitive impairment, with the ability to understand simple instructions and participate in activities with assistance. * Able to ambulate independently (assistive devices permitted), with a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score \< 9, indicating functional decline and high risk of falls. * A score ≥ 9 on the Short Falls Efficacy Scale International (Short FES-I), indicating at least moderate fear of falling. * Willing to participate in the study and able to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of fracture, major fall, or need for acute medical treatment within the past three months, or deemed by a physician to be unsuitable for moderate or higher levels of physical activity. * Presence of acute psychiatric symptoms that prevent participation in assessments or study procedures. * Severe visual or hearing impairments that interfere with activity participation or assessment. * Currently receiving other intensive rehabilitation or participating in another research intervention. * Demonstrates a clear lack of willingness to participate in the intervention or is unable to co…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Mobility

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Fear of fall

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Number and severity of falls

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks, every week.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07560098

SponsorNational Taiwan University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-25

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Reablement trials