A PILOT STUDY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRACKING DEVICES: ACCEPTABILITY AND USABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract As the U.S. population ages, communities must adapt to help older adults thrive. Built environment features, like safe sidewalks and crosswalks, provide the foundation for age- and physical activity-friendly communities. Controlled studies are needed to evaluate advocacy training programs that instruct and support seniors to advocate for more walkable neighborhoods. The Senior Change Makers Pilot Study evaluated an advocacy program that taught seniors to evaluate pedestrian environments using the validated MAPS-Mini audit tool, identify barriers, and advocate for improvements. Participants (n = 50) were recruited from four low-income senior housing sites in San Diego, CA, which were randomly assigned to an 8-week advocacy program or physical activity (PA) comparison intervention. Evaluation included surveys, accelerometers to assess PA, and direct observation. Primary outcomes were seniors’ advocacy confidence and skills. Main analyses used repeated measures ANOVAs. Seniors in the advocacy condition (n = 17) increased their advocacy outcome efficacy (p = .03) and knowledge of resources (p = .04) more than seniors in the PA condition (n = 33). Most seniors in the advocacy condition completed a street audit (84%), submitted an advocacy request (79%), or made an advocacy presentation to city staff (58%). Environmental changes included repairs to sidewalks and crosswalks. City staff approved requests for lighting, curb cuts, and crosswalk markings. Seniors’ accelerometer-measured PA did not significantly increase, but self-reported transportation activity increased in the PA condition (p = .04). This study showed the potential of advocacy training to empower seniors to make communities more age- and activity-friendly.

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Abstract 17026: Effects of Supervised Exercise Therapy on Free-Living Physical Activity Among Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.138.suppl_1.17026 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 138 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Erica Schorr ◽

Mary Whipple ◽

Diane Treat-Jacobson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Peripheral Artery Disease ◽

Exercise Therapy ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Peripheral Artery ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Free Living ◽

Supervised Exercise ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Tracking Devices

Introduction: Evidence supporting the effects of supervised exercise therapy (SET) on alleviating symptoms and improving walking ability for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is robust and well recognized. However, little is known about the impact of SET on free-living physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in SET and changes in free-living PA among individuals in the the EX ercise Training to Reduce Claudication: Arm ER gometry versus T readmill Walking ( EXERT ) trial. Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial, 104 participants (mean age 68±9; 29% female) were allocated to receive treadmill (TM) exercise (n=41), upper body ergometry (UBE) exercise (n=42), or usual-care (UC) (n=21) for 12 weeks. Exercise participants attended SET three times per week; UC participants met with study staff weekly. PA was measured over 7 days via waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. Steps per day was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were proportion of time in light and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary time. PA was controlled for in TM participants by using SET logs. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, and analysis of variance. Results: Regardless of randomization, average daily steps were low at baseline and 6 weeks (4,013 steps, p =.72; and 3,911 steps, p =.84, respectively), and slightly higher at 12 weeks (4,307 steps; p =.93). Although not statistically significant but perhaps clinically relevant, UBE participants exhibited greater increases in MVPA over 12 weeks (0.9% to 1.3%; F =.48, p =.62) compared to TM (1.2% to 1.3%; F =.35, p =.71) and UC (1.3% to 1.5%, F =.03, p =.97); similarly all participants exhibited reductions in sedentary time and increases in free-living PA between baseline and 12 weeks. Conclusions: These data suggest individuals with PAD attending SET replace sedentary time with light or moderate intensity PA regardless of exercise modality. Despite study participants meeting the recommended daily steps for adults with chronic conditions (3,500-5,500 steps), it is suspected that they did not reach the daily goal of 30 minutes of enhanced PA to reduce health risks. Future research should incorporate activity tracking devices that can provide feedback on PA as an approach to meet daily PA goals. Activity tracking devices used in conjunction with SET may further improve walking distance, symptom management, and quality of life among patients with symptomatic PAD.

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Activity-tracking devices for older adults: comparison and preferences

Universal Access in the Information Society ◽

10.1007/s10209-017-0539-7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 411-419 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Anika Steinert ◽

Marten Haesner ◽

Elisabeth Steinhagen-Thiessen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Tracking Devices

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Using phone-based activity monitors to promote physical activity in older adults: A pilot study

2014 IEEE Healthcare Innovation Conference (HIC) ◽

10.1109/hic.2014.7038870 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Harshvardhan Vathsangam ◽

Gaurav S. Sukhatme

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Activity Monitors

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Efficacy of Using Physical Activity Mentors to Increase the Daily Steps of Older Adults in the Primary Care Setting: A Pilot Study

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2012-0120 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 16-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Karen A. Croteau ◽

Vijiayurani Suresh ◽

Elanna Farnham

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Care Setting ◽

Primary Care Setting ◽

Chronic Illnesses ◽

Main Effects

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if using physical activity (PA) mentors has any additional impact on daily steps of older adults participating in the Maine in Motion (MIM) program in the primary care setting. Participants were randomly assigned to a MIM-only group (n= 14) or a MIM+ mentor group (n= 14). The MIM intervention lasted 6 months with follow-up at 12 months. Average age of participants was 64 ± 8.8 years and most participants had multiple chronic illnesses. At baseline, mean body mass index (BMI) was 32.2 ± 5.1 and average daily steps were 4,236 ± 2,266. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects for steps,F(2.324, 59.104) = 4.168,p= .015, but no main effects for group,F(1, 25) = 2.988,p= .096, or time-by-group interaction,F(2.324, 59.104) = 0.905,p= .151. All participants significantly increased daily steps over the course of the intervention, with MIM+ participants maintaining increases at follow-up. No significant findings were found for BMI.

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The relationship between the built environment and habitual levels of physical activity in South African older adults: a pilot study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-015-1853-8 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Tracy L. Kolbe-Alexander ◽

Kyla Pacheco ◽

Simone A. Tomaz ◽

David Karpul ◽

Estelle V. Lambert

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Built Environment ◽

South African ◽

The Relationship

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Effectiveness of an individually tailored home-based exercise rogramme for pre-frail older adults, driven by a tablet application and mobility monitoring: a pilot study

European Review of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s11556-021-00264-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hilde A. E. Geraedts ◽

Hidde Dijkstra ◽

Wei Zhang ◽

Francisco Ibarra ◽

Iman Khaghani Far ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Daily Physical Activity ◽

Frail Older Adults ◽

Home Based ◽

Positive Results

Abstract Objectives To gain first insight into the effectiveness of a home-based exercise programme for pre-frail older adults with independent use of novel ICT technology. Methods A pilot study. Forty pre-frail older adults joined a six-month home-based exercise programme using a tablet PC for exercise administration and feedback, and a necklace-worn motion sensor for daily physical activity registration. Participants received weekly telephone supervision during the first 3 months and exercised independently without supervision from a coach during the last 3 months. Functional performance and daily physical activity were assessed at baseline, after three and 6 months. Results Twenty-one participants completed the programme. Overall, functional performance showed positive results varying from (very) small to large effects (Cohen’s d 0.04–0.81), mainly during the supervised part of the intervention. Regarding daily physical activity, a slight improvement with (very) small effects (Cohen’s d 0.07–0.38), was observed for both self-reported and objectively measured physical activity during the supervised period. However, during the unsupervised period this pattern only continued for self-reported physical activity. Conclusion This pilot study showed positive results varying from (very) small to large effects in levels and maintenance of functional performance and daily physical activity, especially during the supervised first 3 months. Remote supervision seems to importantly affect effectiveness of a home-based exercise programme. Effectiveness of the programme and the exact contribution of its components should be further quantified in a randomized controlled trial. Practice implications Home-based exercising using novel technology may be promising for functional performance and physical activity improvement in (pre-frail) older adults. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register (NTR); trial number NL4049. The study was prospectively registered (registration date 14/11/2013).

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Increased Physical Activity and Fitness above the 50th Percentile Avoid the Threat of Older Adults Becoming Institutionalized: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

Rejuvenation Research ◽

10.1089/rej.2015.1669 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 13-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Catarina Pereira ◽

Jorge Fernandes ◽

Armando Raimundo ◽

Clarissa Biehl-Printes ◽

José Marmeleira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Use of Physical Activity Monitoring Devices by Families in Rural Communities: Qualitative Approach (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10658 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Iryna Sharaievska ◽

Rebecca A Battista ◽

Jennifer Zwetsloot

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Family Members ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Entire Family ◽

Physical Activity Monitoring ◽

Tracking Devices ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Several studies support the impact of information communication technology–based interventions to promote physical activity among youth. However, little is known on how technology can be used by the entire family to encourage healthy behavior. Previous studies showed that children and youth rely and are dependent upon the decisions and values of their caregivers when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. Thus, the exploration of behavior and attitudes of the entire family is needed. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore (1) perceptions of how the use of physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) by families in rural communities influence their patterns of participation in physical activity, (2) how attitudes toward physical activity change as a result of using physical activity tracking devices as a family, and (3) what factors influence participation in physical activity among families in rural communities. METHODS A total of 11 families with 1 to 3 children of different ages (7-13 years) took part in semistructured group interviews following 2 weeks of using physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) as a family. The participants were asked to discuss their experience using the Fitbit Zip as a family, the motivation to be physically active, the changes in their pattern of participation in those activities, the level of engagement by different family members, and the factors that affected their participation. All interviews were voice-recorded with the participants’ permission and later transcribed verbatim using pseudonyms. To analyze the data, the principal investigator (IS) used open, axial, and selective coding techniques. RESULTS A total of 3 themes and several subthemes appeared from the data. The families in rural communities reported no or minimal changes in physical activities as a result of using physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) because of a lack of interest or an already active lifestyle. However, the attitude toward physical activity was altered. The family members reported an increased awareness of their activity level, introduced more conversations about active and healthy lifestyles, and changed their view of physical activity to a more positive one. The participants described the changes they were able to make and the constraining factors that stopped them from making further changes in their lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS Technology might serve as a facilitator to participation in physical activity among families. Technology can motivate the change in attitude toward active recreation. As long-term changes in lifestyle require internal motivation, the change in the attitude might have a more long-lasting impact than the change in the immediate behavior. More longitudinal studies are needed to further explore long-term change in both behavior and attitude toward physical activity. Additional exploration of constraints to participation in physical activity among families is also an important area of exploration.

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