scholarly journals A pedometer-based walking intervention in 45- to 75-year-olds, with and without practice nurse support: the PACE-UP three-arm cluster RCT

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (37) ◽  
pp. 1-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tess Harris ◽  
Sally Kerry ◽  
Christina Victor ◽  
Steve Iliffe ◽  
Michael Ussher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Practice Nurse ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Steps Per Day

Background Guidelines recommend walking to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for health benefits. Objectives To assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of a pedometer-based walking intervention in inactive adults, delivered postally or through dedicated practice nurse physical activity (PA) consultations. Design Parallel three-arm trial, cluster randomised by household. Setting Seven London-based general practices. Participants A total of 11,015 people without PA contraindications, aged 45–75 years, randomly selected from practices, were invited. A total of 6399 people were non-responders, and 548 people self-reporting achieving PA guidelines were excluded. A total of 1023 people from 922 households were randomised to usual care (n = 338), postal intervention (n = 339) or nurse support (n = 346). The recruitment rate was 10% (1023/10,467). A total of 956 participants (93%) provided outcome data. Interventions Intervention groups received pedometers, 12-week walking programmes advising participants to gradually add ‘3000 steps in 30 minutes’ most days weekly and PA diaries. The nurse group was offered three dedicated PA consultations. Main outcome measures The primary and main secondary outcomes were changes from baseline to 12 months in average daily step counts and time in MVPA (in ≥ 10-minute bouts), respectively, from 7-day accelerometry. Individual resource-use data informed the within-trial economic evaluation and the Markov model for simulating long-term cost-effectiveness. Qualitative evaluations assessed nurse and participant views. A 3-year follow-up was conducted. Results Baseline average daily step count was 7479 [standard deviation (SD) 2671], average minutes per week in MVPA bouts was 94 minutes (SD 102 minutes) for those randomised. PA increased significantly at 12 months in both intervention groups compared with the control group, with no difference between interventions; additional steps per day were 642 steps [95% confidence interval (CI) 329 to 955 steps] for the postal group and 677 steps (95% CI 365 to 989 steps) for nurse support, and additional MVPA in bouts (minutes per week) was 33 minutes per week (95% CI 17 to 49 minutes per week) for the postal group and 35 minutes per week (95% CI 19 to 51 minutes per week) for nurse support. Intervention groups showed no increase in adverse events. Incremental cost per step was 19p and £3.61 per minute in a ≥ 10-minute MVPA bout for nurse support, whereas the postal group took more steps and cost less than the control group. The postal group had a 50% chance of being cost-effective at a £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) threshold within 1 year and had both lower costs [–£11M (95% CI –£12M to –£10M) per 100,000 population] and more QALYs [759 QALYs gained (95% CI 400 to 1247 QALYs)] than the nurse support and control groups in the long term. Participants and nurses found the interventions acceptable and enjoyable. Three-year follow-up data showed persistent intervention effects (nurse support plus postal vs. control) on steps per day [648 steps (95% CI 272 to 1024 steps)] and MVPA bouts [26 minutes per week (95% CI 8 to 44 minutes per week)]. Limitations The 10% recruitment level, with lower levels in Asian and socioeconomically deprived participants, limits the generalisability of the findings. Assessors were unmasked to the group. Conclusions A primary care pedometer-based walking intervention in 45- to 75-year-olds increased 12-month step counts by around one-tenth, and time in MVPA bouts by around one-third, with similar effects for the nurse support and postal groups, and persistent 3-year effects. The postal intervention provides cost-effective, long-term quality-of-life benefits. A primary care pedometer intervention delivered by post could help address the public health physical inactivity challenge. Future work Exploring different recruitment strategies to increase uptake. Integrating the Pedometer And Consultation Evaluation-UP (PACE-UP) trial with evolving PA monitoring technologies. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN98538934. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 22, No. 37. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals A 20-Year Follow-Up Study of Objectively Measured Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3076
Author(s):  
Anders Raustorp ◽  
Andreas Fröberg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Objectively Measured Physical Activity

Background: The objectives of this study were to explore the effect of time, long-term tracking, and the proportion of objectively measured physical activity (PA) from early adolescence to the mid-thirties. Methods: PA was measured as mean steps per day (SPD) with pedometers during 2000 (T1), 2003 (T2), 2005 (T3), 2010 (T4), 2016 (T5) and 2020 (T6). Data from 64 participants (n = 32 males) were analysed from their early adolescence (T1) to their mid-thirties (T6). Results: SPD decreased in the total sample and among males and females (all, p < 0.001). Males took more mean SPD than females during T1 (p = 0.002), whereas females took more mean SPD during T2 (p = 0.009) and T6 (p = 0.008). Males’ mean SPD tracked between T1 and T2 (p = 0.021), T2 and T3 (p = 0.030), T3 and T4 (p = 0.015) and T4 and T5 (p = 0.003). Females’ mean SPD tracked between T3 and T4 (p = 0.024) and T5 and T6 (p < 0.001). In the total sample, more mean SPD were found on weekdays compared to weekend days at T3 (p = 0.017) and T5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: SPD decreased between T1 and T6. Mean SPD tracked low-to-moderate in the short time span. From late adolescence to the mid-thirties, more mean SPD was observed during weekdays compared to weekend days.

scholarly journals Behavioural interventions to promote physical activity in a multiethnic population at high risk of diabetes: PROPELS three-arm RCT

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (77) ◽  
pp. 1-190
Author(s):  
Kamlesh Khunti ◽  
Simon Griffin ◽  
Alan Brennan ◽  
Helen Dallosso ◽  
Melanie Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Ambulatory Activity ◽  
Steps Per Day

Background Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of mortality globally and accounts for significant health resource expenditure. Increased physical activity can reduce the risk of diabetes. However, the longer-term clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of physical activity interventions in those at high risk of type 2 diabetes is unknown. Objectives To investigate whether or not Walking Away from Diabetes (Walking Away) – a low-resource, 3-hour group-based behavioural intervention designed to promote physical activity through pedometer use in those with prediabetes – leads to sustained increases in physical activity when delivered with and without an integrated mobile health intervention compared with control. Design Three-arm, parallel-group, pragmatic, superiority randomised controlled trial with follow-up conducted at 12 and 48 months. Setting Primary care and the community. Participants Adults whose primary care record included a prediabetic blood glucose measurement recorded within the past 5 years [HbA1c ≥ 42 mmol/mol (6.0%), < 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) mmol/mol; fasting glucose ≥ 5.5 mmol/l, < 7.0 mmol/l; or 2-hour post-challenge glucose ≥ 7.8 mmol/l, < 11.1 mmol/l] were recruited between December 2013 and February 2015. Data collection was completed in July 2019. Interventions Participants were randomised (1 : 1 : 1) using a web-based tool to (1) control (information leaflet), (2) Walking Away with annual group-based support or (3) Walking Away Plus (comprising Walking Away, annual group-based support and a mobile health intervention that provided automated, individually tailored text messages to prompt pedometer use and goal-setting and provide feedback, in addition to biannual telephone calls). Participants and data collectors were not blinded; however, the staff who processed the accelerometer data were blinded to allocation. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was accelerometer-measured ambulatory activity (steps per day) at 48 months. Other objective and self-reported measures of physical activity were also assessed. Results A total of 1366 individuals were randomised (median age 61 years, median body mass index 28.4 kg/m2, median ambulatory activity 6638 steps per day, women 49%, black and minority ethnicity 28%). Accelerometer data were available for 1017 (74%) and 993 (73%) individuals at 12 and 48 months, respectively. The primary outcome assessment at 48 months found no differences in ambulatory activity compared with control in either group (Walking Away Plus: 121 steps per day, 97.5% confidence interval –290 to 532 steps per day; Walking Away: 91 steps per day, 97.5% confidence interval –282 to 463). This was consistent across ethnic groups. At the intermediate 12-month assessment, the Walking Away Plus group had increased their ambulatory activity by 547 (97.5% confidence interval 211 to 882) steps per day compared with control and were 1.61 (97.5% confidence interval 1.05 to 2.45) times more likely to achieve 150 minutes per week of objectively assessed unbouted moderate to vigorous physical activity. In the Walking Away group, there were no differences compared with control at 12 months. Secondary anthropometric, biomechanical and mental health outcomes were unaltered in either intervention study arm compared with control at 12 or 48 months, with the exception of small, but sustained, reductions in body weight in the Walking Away study arm (≈ 1 kg) at the 12- and 48-month follow-ups. Lifetime cost-effectiveness modelling suggested that usual care had the highest probability of being cost-effective at a threshold of £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. Of 50 serious adverse events, only one (myocardial infarction) was deemed possibly related to the intervention and led to the withdrawal of the participant from the study. Limitations Loss to follow-up, although the results were unaltered when missing data were replaced using multiple imputation. Conclusions Combining a physical activity intervention with text messaging and telephone support resulted in modest, but clinically meaningful, changes in physical activity at 12 months, but the changes were not sustained at 48 months. Future work Future research is needed to investigate which intervention types, components and features can help to maintain physical activity behaviour change over the longer term. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN83465245. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 77. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Effects of a structured intervention program to improve physical activity (PA) of adolescents and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs): Final results of the randomized Motivate AYA–MAYA trial.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11518-11518
Author(s):  
Jannike Lisa Salchow ◽  
Wiebke Jensen ◽  
Barbara Koch ◽  
Julia von Grundherr ◽  
Simon Elmers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Young Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Structured Intervention

11518 Background: Major cardiovascular (CV) events are the most common late toxicities among AYAs. Although regular PA of vigorous intensity (≥ 9 metabolic equivalent [MET]-hours/week) lowers the risk for CV events and mortality, no larger randomized controlled trials on interventions are available. Our aim was to assess whether a 12-week structured intervention increases the vigorous PA of AYAs. Methods: AYAs aged 15 to 39 years, after curative intent cancer treatment with at least one CV risk factor, were randomized to usual-care control group (CG) and to intervention group (IG). The CG received standard recommendations, and the IG participated at a semi-structured interview and phone consulting focusing on PA and behavioral change. At baseline, post-intervention (12 wks), and at follow-up (52 wks), participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and quality of life assessment (EORTC QLQ-C30). Primary endpoint was the rate of AYAs with ≥ 9 MET-hours/week of vigorous activity (IPAQ) at 12 weeks. This single center trial was registered (DRKS00009453). Results: Among 115 screened AYA 89 eligible patients were randomized; 69 (77.5%) completed the intervention and the endpoint assessment; 36 (52.2%) were in the IG and 33 (47.8%) in the CG. Median age was 24.3 years (range, 18 to 39). CV risk factors were use of anthracyclines (94.2%), chest radiation (47.8%), or both (44.9%). At baseline 49.2% of all AYAs reported to perform vigorous PA with at least 9 MET-hours/week, although reporting was individually biased. Post-intervention this rate significantly increased in the IG from 45.7% to 69.7% (p = 0.007), whereas in the CG only a modest non-significant increase was noted (53.3% to 65.6%, p = 0.134). Notably, upon long-term follow up (52 wks) AYAs did not keep their increased vigorous PA, whereas improved moderate PA was achieved (MET score in IG p = 0,044). Also, both groups reduced significantly the time they spent sitting from 6.5 (SD, 2.9) to 5.4 (SD, 2.7) hours/day (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Intensified PA counseling improves short term vigorous PA and long term moderate PA of AYAs and, should thus be part of survivorship programs. Further studies with AYAs will be required to establish reliable PA screening methods and to confirm the results in larger cohorts. Clinical trial information: DRKS00009453.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial and economic analysis of an internet-based weight management programme: POWeR+ (Positive Online Weight Reduction)

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Little ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
FD Richard Hobbs ◽  
Jo Kelly ◽  
Emily R Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Reduction ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Random Numbers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face

BackgroundBehavioural counselling with intensive follow-up for obesity is effective, but in resource-constrained primary care settings briefer approaches are needed.ObjectivesTo estimate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an internet-based behavioural intervention with regular face-to-face or remote support in primary care, compared with brief advice.DesignIndividually randomised three-arm parallel trial with health economic evaluation and nested qualitative interviews.SettingPrimary care general practices in the UK.ParticipantsPatients with a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2(or ≥ 28 kg/m2with risk factors) identified from general practice records, recruited by postal invitation.InterventionsPositive Online Weight Reduction (POWeR+) is a 24-session, web-based weight management intervention completed over 6 months. Following online registration, the website randomly allocated participants using computer-generated random numbers to (1) the control intervention (n = 279), which had previously been demonstrated to be clinically effective (brief web-based information that minimised pressure to cut down foods, instead encouraging swaps to healthier choices and increasing fruit and vegetables, plus 6-monthly nurse weighing); (2) POWeR+F (n = 269), POWeR+ supplemented by face-to-face nurse support (up to seven contacts); or (3) POWeR+R (n = 270), POWeR+ supplemented by remote nurse support (up to five e-mails or brief telephone calls).Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was a modelled estimate of average weight reduction over 12 months, assessed blind to group where possible, using multiple imputation for missing data. The secondary outcome was the number of participants maintaining a 5% weight reduction at 12 months.ResultsA total of 818 eligible individuals were randomised using computer-generated random numbers. Weight change, averaged over 12 months, was documented in 666 out of 818 participants (81%; control,n = 227; POWeR+F,n = 221; POWeR+R,n = 218). The control group maintained nearly 3 kg of weight loss per person (mean weight per person: baseline, 104.4 kg; 6 months, 101.9 kg; 12 months, 101.7 kg). Compared with the control group, the estimated additional weight reduction with POWeR+F was 1.5 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6 to 2.4 kg;p = 0.001] and with POWeR+R was 1.3 kg (95% CI 0.34 to 2.2 kg;p = 0.007). By 12 months the mean weight loss was not statistically significantly different between groups, but 20.8% of control participants, 29.2% of POWeR+F participants (risk ratio 1.56, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.51;p = 0.070) and 32.4% of POWeR+R participants (risk ratio 1.82, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.74;p = 0.004) maintained a clinically significant 5% weight reduction. The POWeR+R group had fewer individuals who reported doing another activity to help lose weight [control, 47.1% (64/136); POWeR+F, 37.2% (51/137); POWeR+R, 26.7% (40/150)]. The incremental cost to the health service per kilogram weight lost, compared with the control group, was £18 (95% CI –£129 to £195) for POWeR+F and –£25 (95% CI –£268 to £157) for POWeR+R. The probability of being cost-effective at a threshold of £100 per kilogram was 88% and 98% for POWeR+F and POWeR+R, respectively. POWeR+R was dominant compared with the control group. No harms were reported and participants using POWeR+ felt more enabled in managing their weight. The qualitative studies documented that POWeR+ was viewed positively by patients and that health-care professionals generally enjoyed supporting patients using POWeR+.Study limitationsMaintenance of weight loss after 1 year is unknown.Future workIdentifying strategies for longer-term engagement, impact in community settings and increasing physical activity.ConclusionClinically valuable weight loss (> 5%) is maintained in 20% of individuals using novel written materials with brief follow-up. A web-based behavioural programme and brief support results in greater mean weight loss and 10% more participants maintain valuable weight loss; it achieves greater enablement and fewer participants undertaking other weight-loss activities; and it is likely to be cost-effective.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN21244703.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full inHealth Technology Assessment; Vol. 21, No. 4. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals ‘You started something … then I continued by myself’: a qualitative study of physical activity maintenance

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (06) ◽  
pp. 574-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Wahlich ◽  
Carole Beighton ◽  
Christina Victor ◽  
Rebecca Normansell ◽  
Derek Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Bad Weather

Background Most mid-life and older adults are not achieving recommended physical activity (PA) targets and effective interventions are needed to increase and maintain PA long-term for health benefits. The Pedometer And Consultation Evaluation (PACE-UP) trial, a three-armed primary care pedometer-based walking intervention in those aged 45–75 years, demonstrated increased PA levels at 12 months. A three-year follow-up was conducted to evaluate long-term PA maintenance, including a qualitative component. Aim To examine facilitators and barriers to PA maintenance in mid-life and older adults previously involved in a PA trial. Method Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 60 PACE-UP participants across all study arms. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded independently by researchers, prior to thematic analysis. Findings Two-thirds of participants felt since the PACE-UP trial they had an awareness of PA, with the pedometer reported as ‘kick-starting’ regular activity, and then helped them to maintain regular activity. PA facilitators included: maintaining good health, self-motivation, social support and good weather. Lack of time was the most frequently cited barrier. Other barriers were often the inverse of the facilitators; for example, poor health and bad weather. Participants described the type of ‘top-up’ intervention they would find beneficial to aid PA maintenance (eg, text messages, online resources and walking groups). Conclusion A challenge for future PA interventions is to transform barriers into facilitators; for example, educating trial participants about the value of PA for many chronic health conditions to change this from inhibiting to promoting PA. Participants provided ideas for encouraging PA maintenance which could be incorporated into future interventions.

scholarly journals An Intervention With Dance and Yoga for Girls With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders (Just in TIME): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Philipson ◽  
Stefan Särnblad ◽  
Lars Ekstav ◽  
Mats Eriksson ◽  
Ulrika L Fagerberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Functional Abdominal Pain ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) affect many children worldwide, predominantly girls, and cause considerable long-term negative consequences for individuals and society. Evidence-based and cost-effective treatments are therefore strongly needed. Physical activity has shown promising effects in the practical management of FAPDs. Dance and yoga are both popular activities that have been shown to provide significant psychological and pain-related benefits with minimal risk. The activities complement each other, in that dance involves dynamic, rhythmic physical activity, while yoga enhances relaxation and focus. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effects of a dance and yoga intervention among girls aged 9 to 13 years with FAPDs. METHODS The study is a prospective randomized controlled trial among girls aged 9 to 13 years with functional abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, or both. The target sample size was 150 girls randomized into 2 arms: an intervention arm that receives dance and yoga sessions twice weekly for 8 months and a control arm that receives standard care. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and after 4, 8, 12, and 24 months, and long-term follow-up will be conducted 5 years from baseline. Questionnaires, interviews, and biomarker measures, such as cortisol in saliva and fecal microbiota, will be used. The primary outcome is the proportion of girls in each group with reduced pain, as measured by the faces pain scale-revised in a pain diary, immediately after the intervention. Secondary outcomes are gastrointestinal symptoms, general health, mental health, stress, and physical activity. The study also includes qualitative evaluations and health economic analyses. This study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala (No. 2016/082 1-2). RESULTS Data collection began in October 2016. The intervention has been performed in 3 periods from 2016 through 2019. The final 5-year follow-up is anticipated to be completed by fall 2023. CONCLUSIONS Cost-effective and easily accessible interventions are warranted to reduce the negative consequences arising from FAPDs in young girls. Physical activity is an effective strategy, but intervention studies are needed to better understand what types of activities facilitate regular participation in this target group. The Just in TIME (Try, Identify, Move, and Enjoy) study will provide insights regarding the effectiveness of dance and yoga and is anticipated to contribute to the challenging work of reducing the burden of FAPDs for young girls. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02920268); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02920268 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/19748

scholarly journals A loyalty scheme to encourage physical activity in office workers: a cluster RCT

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
pp. 1-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth F Hunter ◽  
Aisling Gough ◽  
Jennifer M Murray ◽  
Jianjun Tang ◽  
Sarah F Brennan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Background Increasing physical activity in the workplace can provide physical and mental health benefits for employees and economic benefits for the employer through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. However, there is limited evidence on effective behaviour change interventions in workplace settings that led to maintained physical activity. This study aimed to address this gap and contribute to the evidence base for effective and cost-effective workplace interventions. Objectives To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Physical Activity Loyalty scheme, a multicomponent intervention based on concepts similar to those that underpin a high-street loyalty card, which was aimed at encouraging habitual physical activity behaviour and maintaining increases in mean number of steps per day. Design A cluster randomised controlled trial with an embedded economic evaluation, behavioural economic experiments, mediation analyses and process evaluation. Setting Office-based employees from public sector organisations in Belfast and Lisburn city centres in Northern Ireland. Participants A total of 853 participants [mean age 43.6 years (standard deviation 9.6 years); 71% of participants were female] were randomly allocated by cluster to either the intervention group or the (waiting list) control group. Intervention The 6-month intervention consisted of financial incentives (retail vouchers), feedback and other evidence-based behaviour change techniques. Sensors situated in the vicinity of the workplaces allowed participants to monitor their accumulated minutes of physical activity. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was mean number of steps per day recorded using a sealed pedometer (Yamax Digiwalker CW-701; Yamax, Tasley, UK) worn on the waist for 7 consecutive days and at 6 and 12 months post intervention. Secondary outcomes included health, mental well-being, quality of life, work absenteeism and presenteeism, and the use of health-care resources. Results The mean number of steps per day were significantly lower for the intervention group than the control group [6990 mean number of steps per day (standard deviation 3078) vs. 7576 mean number of steps per day (standard deviation 3345), respectively], with an adjusted mean difference of –336 steps (95% confidence interval –612 to –60 steps; p = 0.02) at 6 months post baseline, but not significantly lower at 12 months post baseline. There was a small but significant enhancement of mental well-being in the intervention group (difference between groups for the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale of 1.34 points, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 2.20 points), but not for the other secondary outcomes. An economic evaluation suggested that, overall, the scheme was not cost-effective compared with no intervention. The intervention was £25.85 (95% confidence interval –£29.89 to £81.60) more costly per participant than no intervention and had no effect on quality-adjusted life-years (incremental quality-adjusted life-years –0.0000891, 95% confidence interval –0.008 to 0.008). Limitations Significant restructuring of participating organisations during the study resulted in lower than anticipated recruitment and retention rates. Technical issues affected intervention fidelity. Conclusions Overall, assignment to the intervention group resulted in a small but significant decline in the mean pedometer-measured steps per day at 6 months relative to baseline, compared with the waiting list control group. The Physical Activity Loyalty scheme was deemed not to be cost-effective compared with no intervention, primarily because no additional quality-adjusted life-years were gained through the intervention. Research to better understand the mechanisms of physical activity behaviour change maintenance will help the design of future interventions. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN17975376. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 7, No. 15. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

The Effect of Competition on Physical Activity: A Randomized Trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Johannesson ◽  
Robert Östling ◽  
Eva Ranehill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Monetary Incentives ◽  
Conservative Estimate ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Winning Team ◽  
Steps Per Day

Abstract Recent literature in economics has highlighted that competition and symbolic awards can provide non-monetary incentives. In this paper, we report on a step contest that we carried out at a large Swedish workplace in order to test whether competition for symbolic awards can be used to promote physical exercise. Each individual was equipped with a pedometer and registered the number of steps daily during a four week period. Participants competed both in teams and individually and the winning team and individual received symbolic prizes. To evaluate the effect of the competition, we randomized teams into a control group and two treatment groups. We found that the step contest significantly increased both the fraction of subjects that completed the step contest and the number of steps. The number of steps was about 1,000 steps higher in the main treatment group than in the control group (an increase by about 10 percent). This is a conservative estimate as the dropouts on average walked fewer steps than individuals completing the study. In an additional treatment, we also included a daily step goal in the contest. The step goal had no additional significant effect on the number of steps, which may be due to the relatively low step goal used (7,000 steps per day).

scholarly journals Long-term Effectiveness of mHealth Physical Activity Interventions: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Mönninghoff ◽  
Jan Niklas Kramer ◽  
Alexander Jan Hess ◽  
Kamila Ismailova ◽  
Gisbert W Teepe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Group Type ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) interventions can increase physical activity (PA); however, their long-term impact is not well understood. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study is to understand the immediate and long-term effects of mHealth interventions on PA. The secondary aim is to explore potential effect moderators. METHODS We performed this study according to the Cochrane and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and PsycINFO in July 2020. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials of mHealth interventions targeting PA as a primary outcome in adults. Eligible outcome measures were walking, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), total physical activity (TPA), and energy expenditure. Where reported, we extracted data for 3 time points (ie, end of intervention, follow-up ≤6 months, and follow-up &gt;6 months). To explore effect moderators, we performed subgroup analyses by population, intervention design, and control group type. Results were summarized using random effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. RESULTS Of the 2828 identified studies, 117 were included. These studies reported on 21,118 participants with a mean age of 52.03 (SD 14.14) years, of whom 58.99% (n=12,459) were female. mHealth interventions significantly increased PA across all the 4 outcome measures at the end of intervention (walking standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.46, 95% CI 0.36-0.55; <i>P</i>&lt;.001; MVPA SMD 0.28, 95% CI 0.21-0.35; <i>P</i>&lt;.001; TPA SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.20-0.47; <i>P</i>&lt;.001; energy expenditure SMD 0.44, 95% CI 0.13-0.75; <i>P</i>=.01). Only 33 studies reported short-term follow-up measurements, and 8 studies reported long-term follow-up measurements in addition to end-of-intervention results. In the short term, effects were sustained for walking (SMD 0.26, 95% CI 0.09-0.42; <i>P</i>=.002), MVPA (SMD 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.35; <i>P</i>=.008), and TPA (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.13-0.93; <i>P</i>=.009). In the long term, effects were also sustained for walking (SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.10-0.39; <i>P</i>=.001) and MVPA (SMD 0.19, 95% CI 0.11-0.27; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). We found the study population to be an effect moderator, with higher effect scores in sick and at-risk populations. PA was increased both in scalable and nonscalable mHealth intervention designs and regardless of the control group type. The risk of bias was rated high in 80.3% (94/117) of the studies. Heterogeneity was significant, resulting in low to very low quality of evidence. CONCLUSIONS mHealth interventions can foster small to moderate increases in PA. The effects are maintained long term; however, the effect size decreases over time. The results encourage using mHealth interventions in at-risk and sick populations and support the use of scalable mHealth intervention designs to affordably reach large populations. However, given the low evidence quality, further methodologically rigorous studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term effects.

scholarly journals Telephone-Based Coaching and Prompting for Physical Activity: Short- and Long-Term Findings of a Randomized Controlled Trial (Movingcall)

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenia Fischer ◽  
Jan-Niklas Kreppke ◽  
Lukas Zahner ◽  
Markus Gerber ◽  
Oliver Faude ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Telephone Coaching

This study analyzed the short- and long-term efficacy of telephone coaching and short message service (SMS) prompting for physical activity (PA) promotion. Two-hundred-and-eighty-eight adults (age: 42 ± 11 years) were assigned randomly to three intervention arms: The intervention groups received 12 bi-weekly telephone calls with (coaching and SMS group) or without (coaching group) additional SMS prompts (n = 48 SMS). The control group received a single written PA recommendation. Self-reported and objective moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels were assessed by a structured interview and by accelerometer at baseline, after the intervention (6 months), as well as after a no-contact follow-up (12 months). At post-test, self-reported MVPA increased by 173 min/week (95% CI 95 to 252) in the coaching group and by 165 min/week (95% CI 84 to 246) in the coaching and SMS group compared to control. These group differences remained similar in the follow-up test. For the objectively assessed MVPA, the coaching group increased by 32 min/week (95% CI 0.1 to 63) and the coaching and SMS group by 34 min/week (95% CI 1.6 to 66) compared to the control group. In the follow-up test, the objective MVPA levels of the intervention groups no longer differed from baseline, but group differences persisted as the control group decreased below baseline. Additional SMS prompts did not result in a further increase in PA. Telephone coaching can be considered an effective tool for PA promotion.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document