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Ageing is associated with declines in physical and cognitive function that increase the risk of disability and dependence. Intrinsic capacity (IC), proposed by the WHO, provides a multidimensional framework to assess health in older adults. This study aims to evaluate whether a multicomponent recreational exercise programme (Fun Exercise for Older Adults (FEXO)) improves IC, motivation and adherence compared with a conventional programme (OTAGO).
A randomised controlled trial with two groups (2:1 ratio) will be conducted among 120 community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years). Participants will be randomly assigned to FEXO (intervention) or OTAGO (control). Both programmes will consist of 3 weekly sessions for 14 weeks. Primary outcomes: IC, assessed through validated measures (Short Physical Performance Battery, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and sensory evaluation), motivation (BREQ-3) and adherence rate. Secondary outcomes include body composition, cardiovascular parameters, frailty, cognition and resilience (PRIFOR). Data will be analysed using two-way ANOVA (groupxtime) under an intention-to-treat approach. Effect sizes (p²) and 95% CIs will be reported. Additional analyses (correlation, regression, mediation and moderation) will explore associations and intervention effects.
Approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera (Ref. CEEI23/487 and CEEI25/639). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. The findings of this study will contribute to improving evidence-based strategies for promoting healthy ageing and will support the development of more engaging and effective exercise interventions for older adults.
This study has been prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT07133568).
Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMO) is among the most prevalent forms of upper extremity osteoarthritis. It is frequently associated with significant levels of pain and disability, particularly among ageing women. The typical care pathway for TMO relies on non-surgical approaches for up to 2 years, before surgery is considered. One of the most common non-surgical approaches is an intra-articular cortisone injection. However, these are not universally recommended due to their safety profile and unclear efficacy compared with saline injections. Recent evidence suggests that saline might be non-inferior to cortisone, but this remains to be clarified. This pilot trial aims to assess the feasibility of a trial examining the non-inferiority of saline compared with cortisone injections for TMO.
This trial will recruit 40 adults with a diagnosis of TMO and a prescription for a cortisone injection from the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Canada. Participants will be randomised to receive either an intra-articular injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (experimental arm, n=20) or triamcinolone acetonide (standard of care, n=20) under fluoroscopic guidance at the Radiology Department or under ultrasound guidance at the Physiatry Clinic. Opaque syringes will be used to blind participants and physicians. Feasibility outcomes, collected at all time points, will include recruitment rates, follow-up completion rates and blinding indices. Preliminary efficacy outcomes, collected at baseline and at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-injection, will include pain intensity (0–10 scales), hand function (QuickDASH 11-items), cumulative analgesic consumption scores, concurrent interventions, adverse events and number of participants receiving a second injection or an arthroplasty. Descriptive statistics will be used to present feasibility outcomes. Preliminary data on the effectiveness of saline and cortisone injections will inform the design of a large-scale study for formal hypothesis testing.
The trial was approved by the CHUM Human Research Ethics Board (2025-11815). The research output will be presented at conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
by Mireille Jasmin, Geneviève Piché, Aude Villatte, Andrea Reupert, Marie-Ève Clément, Anne Dorothee Müller, Marianne Fournier-Marceau, Darryl Maybery, Marie-Hélène Morin, Stéphane Richard-Devantoy
BackgroundParenting responsibilities can be particularly challenging for patients receiving mental health services, often resulting in a range of negative impacts on children. Incorporating a family-focused approach into the usual care of parents with mental illness has been recommended to promote patient recovery while supporting the well-being of children and the entire family unit. This study aimed to document the family-focused practices undertaken by psychiatrists working with parents who have a mental illness and to explore potential facilitators and barriers to these practices.
MethodsA sequential explanatory mixed-method design was used, combining an online survey and individual interviews. Family-focused practices were reported by 27 psychiatrists through the French version of the Family-Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire. Follow-up qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 5 psychiatrists. Item-by-item analysis of the quantitative data was performed, followed by a thematic analysis of the qualitative data, integrating findings from both sources.
ResultsAlthough psychiatrists acknowledge their patients’ parenting role, most are reluctant to provide further support. Key barriers to family-focused practice include the predominantly individual-focused nature of psychiatric care, stigma, consent issues, and limited collaboration between adult and child services. Facilitators include psychiatrists’ professional autonomy, personal experience, and confidence in conducting family meetings.
ConclusionPsychiatrists can play a pivotal role in identifying, acknowledging, and providing appropriate support to parents with mental illness and their families, including children. Developing comprehensive guidelines and targeted training is essential to equip psychiatrists with effective strategies for addressing parenting challenges in patients with complex mental health issues. Additionally, psychoeducational resources for children should be incorporated. Implementing these initiatives may lead to more compassionate, targeted care and improved outcomes for parents and their families.
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