Implementation of interventions

Throughout his CRE Scholarship, Rik worked with his supervisors Professor Sherrington and Dr Pinheiro, and other CRE collaborators, Professor Naganathan and Dr Taylor, to develop the ethics application and trial protocol. The TOP UP Study received ethics approval from Concord Hospital HREC in May 2021.  He has commenced recruitment and currently has 242 participants randomised and enjoying the intervention.  We are fortunate to obtain in-kind support from Whiddon, St Luke’s, and Ashfield Baptist Homes who purchased the iPads and provide aged care staff support to enable the physiotherapy zoom assessments and weekly exercise supervision. Working with Professor Delbaere from NeuRA he will be using the StandingTall app in the study to enhance participant exercise adherence.

The TOP UP program is a supported virtual care program that connects aged care service users with physiotherapists via Zoom. TOP UP aims to improve mobility, reduce falls and enhance quality of life via telehealth physiotherapy. Older adults are provided with mobile-connected iPads so they can receive 10 physiotherapy assessments over 6 months and follow simple elder-friendly exercise videos. The aged care service users are supported weekly by a trained support worker who helps them log onto Zoom and provides local support for the physiotherapy-led balance and mobility assessments and coaching to motivate them to exercise safely.

TOP UP program study approach is available below and is supported by the Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) funding of $200 000.

TOP UP Study_Intervention description using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist (1)