SMART STEP – SMARTphone-driven exercise and pedometer-based STEP intervention to promote physical activity among desk-based employees: Study protocol for a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Baskaran Chandrasekaran ◽  
Chythra R Rao ◽  
Fiddy Davis ◽  
Ashokan Arumugam
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Sickness Absenteeism

BACKGROUND: Prolonged sitting in desk-based office workers is found to be associated with increased cardiometabolic risk and poor cognitive performance. Technology-based physical activity (PA) interventions using smartphone applications (SmPh app) to promote PA levels might be effective in reducing cardiometabolic risk among sedentary population but the evidence remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to investigate the effects of a technology-based PA intervention compared to PA education with a worksite manual or no intervention on PA levels, cardiometabolic risk, cognitive performance, and work productivity among desk-based employees. METHOD: A three-arm clustered randomized trial will be conducted. The study will be conducted among various administrative offices of a multifaceted university in India. Desk-based employees aged between 30 and 50 years (n = 159; 53 in each arm) will be recruited. Employees from various constituent institutions (clusters) of the university will be randomized into one of the three following groups - SMART: SmPh app-driven break reminders (visual exercise prompts) plus pedometer-based step intervention, TRADE: worksite PA education with a manual plus American College of Sports Medicine guided PA prescription, or CONTROL: usual work group. At baseline and after the 1st, 3rd and 6th month of the trial period, accelerometer-measured sitting time and PA levels, cardiometabolic risk (fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, insulin, blood pressure, heart rate variability, functional capacity, and subcutaneous fat), cognitive performance (executive function), sickness absenteeism and work limitations will be assessed by a blinded assessor. Therapist delivering interventions will not be blinded. CONCLUSION: This trial will determine whether a combined SmPh-app and pedometer-based intervention is more effective than education or no intervention in altering PA levels, cardiometabolic risk and cognitive performance among desk-based employees in India. This study has the potential to foster institutional recommendations for using SmPh-based technology and pedometers to promote PA at work.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of the Stand More AT (SMArT) Work intervention: cluster randomised controlled trial

BMJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. k3870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte L Edwardson ◽  
Tom Yates ◽  
Stuart J H Biddle ◽  
Melanie J Davies ◽  
David W Dunstan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Sickness Absenteeism ◽  
Occupational Sitting ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Prolonged Sitting ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Occupational Fatigue

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the impact of a multicomponent intervention (Stand More AT (SMArT) Work) designed to reduce sitting time on short (three months), medium (six months), and longer term (12 months) changes in occupational, daily, and prolonged sitting, standing, and physical activity, and physical, psychological, and work related health. Design Cluster two arm randomised controlled trial. Setting National Health Service trust, England. Participants 37 office clusters (146 participants) of desk based workers: 19 clusters (77 participants) were randomised to the intervention and 18 (69 participants) to control. Interventions The intervention group received a height adjustable workstation, a brief seminar with supporting leaflet, workstation instructions with sitting and standing targets, feedback on sitting and physical activity at three time points, posters, action planning and goal setting booklet, self monitoring and prompt tool, and coaching sessions (month 1 and every three months thereafter). The control group continued with usual practice. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was occupational sitting time (thigh worn accelerometer). Secondary outcomes were objectively measured daily sitting, prolonged sitting (≥30 minutes), and standing time, physical activity, musculoskeletal problems, self reported work related health (job performance, job satisfaction, work engagement, occupational fatigue, sickness presenteeism, and sickness absenteeism), cognitive function, and self reported psychological measures (mood and affective states, quality of life) assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Data were analysed using generalised estimating equation models, accounting for clustering. Results A significant difference between groups (in favour of the intervention group) was found in occupational sitting time at 12 months (−83.28 min/workday, 95% confidence interval −116.57 to −49.98, P=0.001). Differences between groups (in favour of the intervention group compared with control) were observed for occupational sitting time at three months (−50.62 min/workday, −78.71 to −22.54, P<0.001) and six months (−64.40 min/workday, −97.31 to −31.50, P<0.001) and daily sitting time at six months (−59.32 min/day, −88.40 to −30.25, P<0.001) and 12 months (−82.39 min/day, −114.54 to −50.26, P=0.001). Group differences (in favour of the intervention group compared with control) were found for prolonged sitting time, standing time, job performance, work engagement, occupational fatigue, sickness presenteeism, daily anxiety, and quality of life. No differences were seen for sickness absenteeism. Conclusions SMArT Work successfully reduced sitting time over the short, medium, and longer term, and positive changes were observed in work related and psychological health. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10967042 .

scholarly journals Complex Mental and Physical Activity in Older Women and Cognitive Performance: A 6-month Randomized Controlled Trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 65A (6) ◽  
pp. 680-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Klusmann ◽  
A. Evers ◽  
R. Schwarzer ◽  
P. Schlattmann ◽  
F. M. Reischies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled

scholarly journals Moderate Exercise Improves Cognitive Function in Healthy Elderly People: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Mauro Giovanni Carta ◽  
Giulia Cossu ◽  
Elisa Pintus ◽  
Rosanna Zaccheddu ◽  
Omar Callia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Active Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Short Period

Background: Physical activity in the elderly is recommended by international guidelines to protect against cognitive decline and functional impairment. Objective: This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was set up to verify whether medium-intensity physical activity in elderly people living in the community is effective in improving cognitive performance. Design: RCT with parallel and balanced large groups. Setting: Academic university hospital and Olympic gyms. Subjects: People aged 65 years old and older of both genders living at home holding a medical certificate for suitability in non-competitive physical activity. Methods: Participants were randomized to a 12-week, 3 sessions per week moderate physical activity program or to a control condition focused on cultural and recreational activities in groups of the same size and timing as the active intervention group. The active phase integrated a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, including drills of “life movements”, strength and balance. The primary outcome was: any change in Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) and its subscales. Results: At the end of the trial, 52 people completed the active intervention, and 53 people completed the control condition. People in the active intervention improved on the ACE-R (ANOVA: F(1;102)=4.32, p=0.040), and also showed better performances on the memory (F(1;102)=5.40 p=0.022) and visual-space skills subscales of the ACE-R (F(1;102)=4.09 p=0.046). Conclusion: A moderate-intensity exercise administered for a relatively short period of 12 weeks is capable of improving cognitive performance in a sample of elderly people who live independently in their homes. Clinical Trials Registration No: NCT03858114

REducing SEDENTary Behavior Among Mild to Moderate Cognitively Impaired Assisted Living Residents: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RESEDENT Study)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
K. Dillon ◽  
Harry Prapavessis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Older adults in assisted living spend most of their day in sedentary behaviors, which may be detrimental to cognitive function. The primary purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of using a prompting device to reduce sitting time with light walking among older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment residing in an assisted living setting. A secondary purpose was to examine the effectiveness of the intervention on the residents’ cognitive function, physical function, and quality of life. The participants (n = 25, mean age = 86.7 [5.3] years) were assigned in clusters into a two-arm 10-week single-site pilot randomized controlled trial. The intervention group was prompted with a watch to interrupt sedentary behaviors and partake in 10 min of light physical activity (i.e., walking) three times a day after a meal. The assessments included hip-worn accelerometers (Actical) and diaries, the Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale—cognitive, Timed Up and Go, and the short-form 36 health survey. Adherence was high, as there were no dropouts, and over 70% of the participants completed over 80% of the prescribed physical activity bouts. Significant effects favoring the intervention were shown for all outcomes.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Examination of Patterns of Sedentary Behavior and Cardiometabolic Risk in Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 55 Years and Older

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kelsey L. McAlister ◽  
Daniela A. Rubin ◽  
Koren L. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Sedentary Bouts ◽  
Older Populations

Introduction. Sedentary behavior (SB) is highly prevalent among older adults, with more than 25% engaging in 6 hours or more of SB daily. SB has been associated with several cardiometabolic biomarkers in younger adults; however, there is a paucity of research in older populations. This study examined associations between patterns of SB and cardiometabolic biomarkers in community-dwelling adults aged 55 years and older. Methods. Data were drawn from a convenience sample of 54 community-dwelling individuals (12 males, 42 females; mean age = 72.6 ± 6.8 years, range = 56–89 years). Cardiometabolic biomarkers assessed included systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose and cholesterol parameters. SB was assessed via accelerometry over a 7-day period, and measures included daily time in SB, number and length of sedentary bouts, the number and length of breaks between sedentary bouts, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and light physical activity (LPA). Associations between the SB measures and each cardiometabolic risk factor were examined using separate stepwise multiple regression models, controlling for sex, MVPA, and accelerometer wear time. Isotemporal substitution models were used to examine the change in cardiometabolic outcomes when SB is replaced by an equal duration of either LPA or MVPA. Results. Adjusted regression analyses showed that daily sedentary time was positively associated with DBP (β = 0.052, ∆R2 = 0.112, p=0.022) and inversely associated with HDL cholesterol (β = −0.111, ∆R2 = 0.121, p=0.039). Sedentary bout length was also associated with DBP and HDL cholesterol (β = 0.575, ∆R2 = 0.152, p = 0.007; β = −1.529, ∆R2 = 0.196, p=0.007, respectively). Replacement of 10 minutes of SB a day with LPA was associated with improved DBP and HDL cholesterol (p≤0.05). No other significant associations (p≤0.05) were found. Conclusion. Sitting for prolonged periods of time without interruption is unfavorably associated with DBP and HDL cholesterol. Prospective studies should identify causal relationships and observe specific changes in cardiometabolic profiles in older populations.

scholarly journals Exercise Training as a Treatment for Cardiometabolic Risk in Sedentary Adults: Are Physical Activity Guidelines the Best Way to Improve Cardiometabolic Health? The FIT-AGEING Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Amaro-Gahete ◽  
Alejandro De-la-O ◽  
Lucas Jurado-Fasoli ◽  
Borja Martinez-Tellez ◽  
Jonatan R. Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

This 12-week randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of different training modalities on cardiometabolic risk in sedentary, middle-aged adults, and examines whether alterations in cardiometabolic risk are associated with changes in those health-related variables that are modifiable by exercise training. The study subjects were 71 middle-aged adults (~54 years old; ~50% women) who were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) no exercise (control group), (2) concurrent training based on international physical activity recommendations (PAR group), (3) high intensity interval training (HIIT) group, or (4) HIIT plus whole-body electromyostimulation (HIIT+EMS group). A cardiometabolic risk score was calculated based on the International Diabetes Federation’s clinical criteria. A significant reduction in cardiometabolic risk was observed for all exercise training groups compared to the control group (all p < 0.05), which persisted after adjusting potential confounders (all p < 0.05). However, the HIIT+EMS group experienced the most significant reduction (p < 0.001). A significant inverse relationship was detected between the change in lean mass and the change in cardiometabolic risk (p = 0.045). A 12-week exercise training programs-especially the HIIT+EMS program-significantly reduced cardiometabolic risk in sedentary, middle-aged adults independent of sex, age, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

scholarly journals ‘MOVEdiabetes’: a cluster randomized controlled trial to increase physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes in primary health in Oman

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thamra S Alghafri ◽  
Saud Mohamed Alharthi ◽  
Yahya Al-Farsi ◽  
Abdul Hakeem Alrawahi ◽  
Elaine Bannerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Cluster Randomized

ObjectiveThis study examined the impact of a multicomponent intervention to increase physical activity (PA) in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Oman.Research design and methodsThis is a cluster randomized controlled trial in eight primary health centers. Participants were physically inactive, aged ≥18 years, and with no contraindication to PA. Patients attending intervention health centers (n=4) received the ‘MOVEdiabetes’ intervention, which consisted of personalized, individual face-to-face consultations by dietitians. Pedometers and monthly telephone WhatsApp messages were also used. Patients attending comparison health centers received usual care. The primary outcome was change in PA [Metabolic Equivalent(MET).min/week] after 12 months assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were changes in daily step counts, sitting time, weight, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure and lipids.ResultsOf the 232 participants (59.1% female, mean (SD) age 44.2 (8.1) years), 75% completed the study. At 12 months, the mean change in MET.min/week was +631.3 (95% CI 369.4 to 893.2) in the intervention group (IG) vs +183.2 (95% CI 83.3 to 283.0) in the comparison group, with a significant between-group difference of +447.4 (95% CI 150.7 to 744.1). The odds of meeting PA recommendations were 1.9 times higher in the IG (95% CI 1.2 to 3.3). Significant between-group differences in favor of IG were detected for mean steps/day (+757, 95% CI 18 to 1531) and sitting time hours/ per day (−1.5, 95% CI −2.4 to −0.7). Clinical measures of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides also showed significant intervention effects.Conclusions‘MOVEdiabetes’ was effective in increasing PA, the likelihood of meeting PA recommendations, and providing cardioprotective benefits in adults with T2D attending primary care.

Comparison Between Multicomponent Exercise and Walking Interventions in Long-Term Nursing Homes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 1364-1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Rezola-Pardo ◽  
Ana Rodriguez-Larrad ◽  
Julen Gomez-Diaz ◽  
Garbiñe Lozano-Real ◽  
Itxaso Mugica-Errazquin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background and Objectives There is evidence that exercise interventions counteract the functional and cognitive decline experienced by long-term nursing home (LTNH) residents. To determine the most effective exercise intervention, we compared the effects of a multicomponent exercise intervention and a walking intervention on physical and cognitive performance, habitual physical activity, affective function, and quality of life among older adults living in LTNHs. Research Design and Methods This 3-month single-blind randomized controlled trial (NCT03996083) involved 81 participants at 9 LTNHs randomly assigned to a multicomponent (MG) or a walking (WG) group. The MG participated in a twice-a-week individualized and progressive program composed of strength and balance exercises for 3 months. The WG was also individualized and participants walked up to 20 min per day. The primary outcome was the score on the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Secondary outcomes included other physical performance tests, habitual physical activity, cognitive performance, affective function, and quality of life. Results Compared with the WG, the MG group showed greater improvements in physical performance, including the SPPB (p &lt; .05). No significant differences were observed in cognitive performance or habitual physical activity. Both groups showed improvements in anxiety and quality of life (p &lt; .05). Discussion and Implications Although both interventions were effective in maintaining or improving affective function, the MG conferred greater improvements in physical function. Therefore, multicomponent interventions would be preferable over walking-only interventions. Otherwise, individualized and progressive walking interventions should be implemented to face the rapid decline in functionality encountered in LTNHs.

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