Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot Study

BackgroundA key driver that leads to age-associated decline and chronic disease is mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous work revealed strong community interest in the concept of mitochondrial fitness, which led to the development of a video-based science communication inte...

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Main Authors: Cathy A Maxwell, Brandon Grubbs, Mary S Dietrich, Jeffrey T Boon, John Dunavan, Kelly J Knickerbocker, Maulik R Patel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2024-12-01
Series:JMIR Formative Research
Online Access:https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e64437
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author Cathy A Maxwell
Brandon Grubbs
Mary S Dietrich
Jeffrey T Boon
John Dunavan
Kelly J Knickerbocker
Maulik R Patel
author_facet Cathy A Maxwell
Brandon Grubbs
Mary S Dietrich
Jeffrey T Boon
John Dunavan
Kelly J Knickerbocker
Maulik R Patel
author_sort Cathy A Maxwell
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundA key driver that leads to age-associated decline and chronic disease is mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous work revealed strong community interest in the concept of mitochondrial fitness, which led to the development of a video-based science communication intervention to prompt behavior change in adults aged 50 years and older. ObjectiveThis study aimed to conduct formative and summative evaluations of MitoFit, an instructional, biologically based communication intervention aimed at improving physical activity in older adults aged 50 years and older. MethodsIn the phase-1 formative evaluation, community-dwelling older adults (N=101) rated the acceptability, appropriateness, and helpfulness of our MitoFit video series, titled “How to Slow Down Aging Through Mitochondrial Fitness.” In the phase-2 summative evaluation, a subgroup of phase-1 participants (n=19) participated in a 1-month MitoFit intervention prototype to evaluate the intervention and data collection feasibility. ResultsIn phase 1, participants (mean age 67.8, SD 8.9 y; 75/100, 75% female) rated the MitoFit videos as acceptable (≥4 out of 5 on a Likert-scale survey; from 97/101, 96% to 100/101, 99%), appropriate (101/101, 100%), and helpful (from 95/101, 94% to 100/101, 99%) to support adaptation and continued work on our novel approach. Previous knowledge of mitochondria ranged from 52% (50/97; What are mitochondria?) to 80% (78/97; What are the primary functions of mitochondria?). In phase 2, participants (mean age 71.4, SD 7.9 y; 13/19, 72% female) scored better than the national average (50) on the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-19 for physical function (57), social activities (55.5), depression (41), fatigue (48.6), and sleep disturbance (49.6) but worse for anxiety (55.3) and pain interference (52.4). Additionally, 95% (18/19) of participants demonstrated MitoFit competencies within 2 attempts (obtaining pulse: 19/19, 100%; calculating maximum and zone 2 heart rate: 18/19, 95%; and demonstration of exercises: 19/19, 100%). At 1 month after instruction, 68% (13/19) had completed a self-initiated daily walking/exercise plan and submitted a daily activity log. A walking pulse was documented by 85% (11/13) of participants. The time needed to walk 1 mile ranged from 17.4 to 27.1 minutes. The number of miles walked in 1 month was documented by 62% (8/13) of participants and ranged from 10 miles to 31 miles. The number of days of strength training ranged from 2 to 31 days/month. Intervention feasibility scores ranged from 89% (17/19; seems easy to follow) to 95% (18/19; seems implementable, possible, and doable). Overall, 79% (15/19) stated an intention to continue the MitoFit intervention. Furthermore, 4 weeks after delivery of the prototype intervention, the percentage of participants doing aerobic activity for regular moderate activity increased from 35% (6/17) to 59% (10/17; P=.03). ConclusionsMitoFit was enthusiastically embraced and is a cost-effective, scalable, and potentially efficacious intervention to advance with community-dwelling older adults.
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spelling doaj-art-acd5cb94f5f54d829b7ff20f32505d452024-12-13T20:00:48ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2024-12-018e6443710.2196/64437Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot StudyCathy A Maxwellhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1980-8643Brandon Grubbshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9023-9688Mary S Dietrichhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4474-0767Jeffrey T Boonhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-7790-7153John Dunavanhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-9529-3406Kelly J Knickerbockerhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-0588-0449Maulik R Patelhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3749-0122 BackgroundA key driver that leads to age-associated decline and chronic disease is mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous work revealed strong community interest in the concept of mitochondrial fitness, which led to the development of a video-based science communication intervention to prompt behavior change in adults aged 50 years and older. ObjectiveThis study aimed to conduct formative and summative evaluations of MitoFit, an instructional, biologically based communication intervention aimed at improving physical activity in older adults aged 50 years and older. MethodsIn the phase-1 formative evaluation, community-dwelling older adults (N=101) rated the acceptability, appropriateness, and helpfulness of our MitoFit video series, titled “How to Slow Down Aging Through Mitochondrial Fitness.” In the phase-2 summative evaluation, a subgroup of phase-1 participants (n=19) participated in a 1-month MitoFit intervention prototype to evaluate the intervention and data collection feasibility. ResultsIn phase 1, participants (mean age 67.8, SD 8.9 y; 75/100, 75% female) rated the MitoFit videos as acceptable (≥4 out of 5 on a Likert-scale survey; from 97/101, 96% to 100/101, 99%), appropriate (101/101, 100%), and helpful (from 95/101, 94% to 100/101, 99%) to support adaptation and continued work on our novel approach. Previous knowledge of mitochondria ranged from 52% (50/97; What are mitochondria?) to 80% (78/97; What are the primary functions of mitochondria?). In phase 2, participants (mean age 71.4, SD 7.9 y; 13/19, 72% female) scored better than the national average (50) on the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-19 for physical function (57), social activities (55.5), depression (41), fatigue (48.6), and sleep disturbance (49.6) but worse for anxiety (55.3) and pain interference (52.4). Additionally, 95% (18/19) of participants demonstrated MitoFit competencies within 2 attempts (obtaining pulse: 19/19, 100%; calculating maximum and zone 2 heart rate: 18/19, 95%; and demonstration of exercises: 19/19, 100%). At 1 month after instruction, 68% (13/19) had completed a self-initiated daily walking/exercise plan and submitted a daily activity log. A walking pulse was documented by 85% (11/13) of participants. The time needed to walk 1 mile ranged from 17.4 to 27.1 minutes. The number of miles walked in 1 month was documented by 62% (8/13) of participants and ranged from 10 miles to 31 miles. The number of days of strength training ranged from 2 to 31 days/month. Intervention feasibility scores ranged from 89% (17/19; seems easy to follow) to 95% (18/19; seems implementable, possible, and doable). Overall, 79% (15/19) stated an intention to continue the MitoFit intervention. Furthermore, 4 weeks after delivery of the prototype intervention, the percentage of participants doing aerobic activity for regular moderate activity increased from 35% (6/17) to 59% (10/17; P=.03). ConclusionsMitoFit was enthusiastically embraced and is a cost-effective, scalable, and potentially efficacious intervention to advance with community-dwelling older adults.https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e64437
spellingShingle Cathy A Maxwell
Brandon Grubbs
Mary S Dietrich
Jeffrey T Boon
John Dunavan
Kelly J Knickerbocker
Maulik R Patel
Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot Study
JMIR Formative Research
title Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot Study
title_full Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot Study
title_fullStr Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot Study
title_short Mitochondrial Fitness Science Communication for Aging Adults: Prospective Formative Pilot Study
title_sort mitochondrial fitness science communication for aging adults prospective formative pilot study
url https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e64437
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