Mail-Order exercise: a simple program that could keep older women out of the hospital

NCT ID NCT02425345

Disease control Sponsor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested whether a physical activity program delivered by mail and website could improve the health of nearly 50,000 older women already in the Women's Health Initiative. The program included aerobic, balance, strength, and flexibility exercises, and encouraged reducing sitting time. Researchers tracked heart attacks, strokes, fractures, falls, and physical function to see if this low-cost approach could make a real difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: physical activity program (aerobic, balance, strength, flexibility exercises)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that a simple, mail-based exercise program helps older women stay independent and avoid serious health events like heart attacks and falls.
What could go wrong: This is a large completed trial, but results may not apply to all older women, and participants may not have stuck with the program long-term. The intervention is low-risk, but any new exercise carries a small chance of injury.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

49,331 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Apr 2015

Finished

Dec 2024

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

66 to 99 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Currently enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Extension Study * Known to be alive * Cardiovascular outcomes will be available (enrolled in the WHI Medical Records Cohort or linked to Medicare Data) Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to walk * Dementia * Residing in a nursing home

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bone fracture cardiovascular disorder Depression hip fracture Motor Activity myocardial infarction peripheral arterial disease sleep disorder stroke disorder venous thromboembolism

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Cardiovascular mortality Clinical (non-hip) fractures Coronary revascularization Depressive symptoms Falls Hip fractures Mobility and independence Mortality Myocardial infarction Peripheral artery disease Physical function Sleep Stroke Venous thromboembolic event

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