Reframing Expectations about aging – Physical Activity and Inclusive Reappraisal (RE- PAIR): Protocol of an intervention promoting positive self-perceptions of aging and physical activity in older couples

Background Ageism and negative self-perceptions of aging have a detrimental impact on the health of older individuals, and on the healthcare and economic systems. Although existing psychoeducational and behavioral interventions have effectively increased positive self-perceptions of aging, often their beneficial effects have been investigated with short follow-ups or faded over time. This may be due to interventions having been delivered at the individual level without sufficient attention to social context, but individuals’ self-perceptions of aging are likely influenced by the age-related beliefs and behaviors of people close to them. Objective We aim to deliver a 12-week multicomponent intervention promoting positive self-perceptions of aging and physical activity to investigate (1) whether it promotes significant change in primary (i.e., positive self-perceptions of aging and physical activity) and secondary (i.e., self-directed and other-directed ageism, subjective views of couple’s joint aging, perceived age-related changes in one’s partner, mood, physical fitness, and cognitive performance) intervention outcomes; (2) whether observed change in intervention outcomes is greater when the intervention is delivered to couples compared to when it is delivered to one partner alone; (3) the extent to which the effect of the intervention is extended from one partner who undertakes the intervention to the other partner who does not undertake it. Methods We will adopt a randomized pre- and post-intervention design with immediate post-intervention, and three- and six-months follow-up assessments. The sample will be divided into three groups, each comprising 57 spouses, cohabiting partners, or long-standing partners aged ≥ 65 years. In the first group, partners will undertake together the intervention, comprising a psychoeducational and a behavioral component. In the second group, only one partner will undertake the same intervention. In the third/control group none of the partners will undertake the intervention during data collection. Self-perceptions of aging, physical activity, ageism, subjective views of couple’s joint aging, perceived age-related changes in one’s partner, and mood will be assessed via questionnaires whereas physical fitness and cognitive performance will be objectively assessed in person. Conclusion This project will provide evidence on whether targeting couples could enhance/facilitate promotion of positive self-perceptions of aging and physical activity in older age. Trial registration in ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07113860. Release date: 03-07-2025 Protocol version 1: 28-08-2025