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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Avan SayerORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2026 Thomas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Introduction: Maintaining function and participation through tailored 24-hour movement behaviours for people living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) and frailty (The PERSONAL-AGILITY study) is a research programme which aims to develop and evaluate a complex behaviour change intervention. The intervention uses a range of approaches tailored for individuals living with MLTC and frailty, and their carers, incorporating novel technology to improve 24-hour movement behaviours and, consequently, quality of life and physical function. This paper outlines the protocol for a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the PERSONAL-AGILITY intervention, study design and procedures. Methods and analysis: A feasibility RCT, with 2:1 allocation to the PERSONAL-AGILITY intervention or usual care control. The primary outcome is the feasibility and acceptability of a future definitive RCT investigating the effectiveness of the PERSONAL-AGILITY intervention, assessed against prespecified progression criteria, including eligibility, recruitment, retention, and outcome measure completion rates. The trial will be conducted at the University Hospitals of Leicester and comprise a 24-week tailored behaviour change intervention delivered by members of the PERSONAL-AGILITY research team. A target sample of 50 people with MLTC and frailty, and their carer (optional), will be recruited. A range of secondary outcomes including body composition, blood pressure, physical activity, sleep, physical function, and quality of life will be assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks to help identify the primary or co-primary outcomes for participants with MLTC and frailty and their carers. A mixed methods process evaluation will examine the acceptability, feasibility and fidelity of intervention delivery and trial procedures. This study will inform the feasibility and design of a future definitive RCT. Ethics and dissemination: The trial has been approved by South Central Oxford B Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 24/SC/0367). Participants will be asked to provide consent to take part in the PERSONAL-AGILITY study by a trained member of the research team. Findings will be disseminated via peer reviewed journals, presentations and communications with health care professionals, patients and the public. Trial registration: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number 14362764. URL to registry record: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14362764. Date of registration: 25th November 2024.
Author(s): Thomas M, Herring LY, Davies MJ, Wilde L, Hall V, Gray LJ, Greenwood SA, Hadjiconstantinou M, Hamza M, Harris A, Hawkins J, Khunti K, Maddocks M, Rajpara A, Rowlands A, Sarkar P, Sayer AA, Seidu S, Yates T, Young HML
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: PLoS ONE
Year: 2026
Volume: 21
Issue: 5
Online publication date: 18/05/2026
Acceptance date: 14/04/2026
Date deposited: 01/06/2026
ISSN (electronic): 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science
URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0348372
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348372
Data Access Statement: The anonymised data that support the findings of this study will be openly available in an open access repository when the study is complete and published.
PubMed id: 42149831
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