Abstract

Infrequent outdoor walking is a marker of frailty that can increase the risk of mobility and self-care decline, social isolation, and reduced health-related quality of life in older adults. The Getting Older Adults OUTdoors (GO-OUT) study is a CIHR-funded multi-site randomized controlled trial that aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a one-day interactive workshop and 10-week outdoor walking program in parks compared to the workshop and 10 weekly telephone reminders in increasing outdoor walking in older adults. We conducted this study in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Montreal. Conducting a four-site randomized trial in the community, although complex and costly, can provide opportunities for extensive research. This presentation will provide an overview of the GO-OUT trial with a focus on planned and unplanned process evaluations and sub-studies that are optimizing research output and research capacity building through this project.

Biography

Dr. Nancy Salbach is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Chair at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Scientist at KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Salbach is a physical therapist and epidemiologist known worldwide for her implementation science research in stroke rehabilitation and community exercise programs targeting balance and mobility. Research in Dr. Salbach’s Knowledge-to-Action lab consistently involves collaboration with patients, clinicians, regional stroke networks, and national and community organizations. Dr. Salbach has obtained more than $13 million (CAD) in grant funding, published 110+ journal articles, and peer-reviewed for 20 journals and 10 granting agencies internationally. Dr. Salbach co-chairs the writing group for the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations, and the Canadian Stroke Community-based Exercise Recommendations, and is founder and chair of the Canadian Advisory Collaborative for TIMETM (CAN-ACT).