Assessing the Impact and Effectiveness of the AMICOPE Multicomponent Community Intervention on Mood in Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Approach

Research project description

PhD will investigate Multicomponent Community Intervention on Mood in Older Adults. 

The World Health Organization has developed the Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) strategy, a program based on the measurement of intrinsic capacity (IC) as “the composite of all physical and mental attributes on which an individual can draw”.

IC include five domains: cognition, vitality/nutrition, sensory, mood and mobility. Multicomponent interventions appear to be the most effective approach to enhance IC and to prevent frailty and disability.

AMICOPE multi-domain community group-based intervention was developed during the European APTITUDE project (2018-2022) funded by POCTEFA.

This intervention was built upon the ICOPE framework and aimed to improve and/or maintain intrinsic capacity through the promotion of physical activity, healthy nutrition, and psychological wellbeing in older people.

The intervention consists of 12 face-to-face sessions held weekly for 2.5h over three months and facilitated by a pair of health and social care professionals.

After a feasibility study, the effectiveness of AMICOPE is now being assessed in the EFICIS randomized clinical trial according to the Medical Research Framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions.

The aim of this project is to evaluate through a mixed methods approach the impact and effectiveness of this community intervention on mood which is one of the core domains of intrinsic capacity. 

Academic background / Skills

Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.  

Additional requirements for a stronger application are: 

• The ideal PhD candidate for this research opportunity should possess a background in public health, gerontology, psychology, sociology, or a related field with a focus on aging and integrated care.  
• Familiarity with the World Health Organization’s Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) strategy and an understanding of the measurement of intrinsic capacity (IC) and its five domains (cognition, vitality/nutrition, sensory, mood, and mobility) would be advantageous. 
• Experience in conducting research on multicomponent interventions, particularly those targeting older populations, would be valuable.  
• Knowledge of the ICOPE framework, as well as an understanding of the Medical Research Framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions, will contribute to the candidate’s readiness for this project. 

Research group/s description

The Health and Ageing Foundation UAB conducts activities in the fields of health sciences, ageing and social and health care. 

These activities are carried out through 5 organizational areas: 

1. Research in Health and Ageing 

2. Citizens and Patients 

3. Professional Development 

4. Consultancy and Ageing Projects 

5. Knowledge Management. 

Likewise, in accordance to its institutional mission, the Foundation will be able to provide services of management in health and social-health care institutions.