TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of hearing intervention on physical function
T2 - A secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE study
AU - Deal, Jennifer A.
AU - Zhang, Wuyang
AU - Jiang, Kening
AU - Huang, Alison
AU - Pike, James Russell
AU - Arnold, Michelle
AU - Burgard, Sheila
AU - Chen, Ziheng
AU - Chisolm, Theresa
AU - Couper, David
AU - Goman, Adele M.
AU - Glynn, Nancy W.
AU - Gmelin, Theresa
AU - Gravens-Mueller, Lisa
AU - Hayden, Kathleen M.
AU - Mitchell, Christine M.
AU - Pankow, James S.
AU - Reed, Nicholas S.
AU - Sanchez, Victoria
AU - Schrack, Jennifer A.
AU - Sullivan, Kevin
AU - Lin, Frank R.
AU - Coresh, Josef
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright: © 2026 Deal et a.
PY - 2026/4
Y1 - 2026/4
N2 - Objective We tested the effect of the hearing intervention vs. health education control (1:1 randomization) on 3-year physical function decline, a secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03243422). Methods Pre-specified outcomes included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) [total score and components] and grip strength. Intervention effects were modeled using linear mixed models following a pre-specified statistical analysis plan. Results In 956 participants (mean 76.3 years, 53% female, 12% Black race), hearing intervention did not impact change in SPPB (difference comparing intervention to control=0.00 standard deviation [SD] units, 95% confidence interval [CI]:-0.14, 0.14) or grip strength (difference=0.01 SD, 95% CI: −0.06, 0.08). However, treatment effects varied by recruitment cohort; although findings were not statistically significant, they suggest a clinically meaningful benefit (slower decline) in participants with faster rates of cognitive decline. Conclusions These secondary results have direct relevance for inclusion in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Future research should be designed to test whether hearing intervention can reduce short-term declines in physical function, particularly among those experiencing cognitive decline. Continuing follow-up of the ACHIEVE study participants will yield insights into longer-term (>3 years) effects of intervention.
AB - Objective We tested the effect of the hearing intervention vs. health education control (1:1 randomization) on 3-year physical function decline, a secondary analysis of the ACHIEVE randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03243422). Methods Pre-specified outcomes included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) [total score and components] and grip strength. Intervention effects were modeled using linear mixed models following a pre-specified statistical analysis plan. Results In 956 participants (mean 76.3 years, 53% female, 12% Black race), hearing intervention did not impact change in SPPB (difference comparing intervention to control=0.00 standard deviation [SD] units, 95% confidence interval [CI]:-0.14, 0.14) or grip strength (difference=0.01 SD, 95% CI: −0.06, 0.08). However, treatment effects varied by recruitment cohort; although findings were not statistically significant, they suggest a clinically meaningful benefit (slower decline) in participants with faster rates of cognitive decline. Conclusions These secondary results have direct relevance for inclusion in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Future research should be designed to test whether hearing intervention can reduce short-term declines in physical function, particularly among those experiencing cognitive decline. Continuing follow-up of the ACHIEVE study participants will yield insights into longer-term (>3 years) effects of intervention.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105037507123
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105037507123#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0347500
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0347500
M3 - Article
C2 - 42054408
AN - SCOPUS:105037507123
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 21
JO - PloS one
JF - PloS one
IS - 4 April
M1 - e0347500
ER -