Clinical Research Directory

An 8RM is the dose necessary for most effective strength gains in community-dwelling older adults, and is equivalent to 80% of a one repetition max, which is the maximal load needed to voluntarily complete one repetition of a given exercise with proper form. Activities will include strength training, transfer practice, balance training, advanced ADLs. Clinicians will tailor the intervention for each activity to target overload using 8-repetition maximum for resistance training. Other interventions will be performed to muscle failure or inability to complete the final repetition. Failure is the inability to complete a repetition through the full, available range of motion without significant compensation. Further, high-intensity dosing requires continuous, volitional effort from the patient; therefore, incorporation of motivational interviewing strategies across sessions will maximize patient effort and self-efficacy.

The Safe Transfers and Mobility Program (STAMP) embeds a mobility aide into daily care. STAMP is a patient-centered, scalable approach to extend the benefits of rehabilitation sessions by increasing mobility throughout the day and reinforcing activity between therapy sessions. Core components are: (1) targeting 45 minutes of additional daily physical activity through support with walking and functional mobility tasks; (2) establishing individualized mobility goals collaboratively set by the therapist and patient, based on functional level; (3) delivering progressive activities with walking distances increased by \~30% weekly, adjusted for patient tolerance; and (4) interdisciplinary coordination to incorporate STAMP sessions into routine care with minimal disruption to clinical workflow. Prior work suggests that 45 minutes of STAMP can at least double daily step counts, and increasing walking distance by 30% per week is feasible even for individuals with low baseline function.

Usual Care SNFs will continue with routine collection and documentation of physical performance outcomes (gait speed, SPPB, Modified Barthel ADL Index) as standard practice. Importantly, the Usual Care SNF including the facility, rehabilitation clinicians, and patients will not have access to i-STRONGER materials.