Promoting physical activity using an activity monitor and a tailored web-based advice: design of a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN93896459] Wearable Activity Technology And Action-Planning (WATAAP) to promote physical activity in cancer survivors: Randomised controlled trial protocol Effects of Open-Loop Feedback on Physical Activity and Television Viewing in Overweight and Obese Children: A Randomized, Controlled Trial The Impact of an Online Social Network With Wireless Monitoring Devices on Physical Activity and Weight Loss Using a technology-based intervention to promote weight loss in sedentary overweight or obese adults: a randomized controlled trial study design Wearable activity monitors to assess performance status and predict clinical outcomes in advanced cancer patients Pregnancy, exercise and nutrition research study with smart phone app support (Pears): Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Use of a Computerized Tracking System to Monitor and Provide Feedback on Dietary Goals for Calorie-Restricted Diets: The POUNDS LOST Study Feasibility, design and conduct of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to reduce overweight and obesity in children: The electronic games to aid motivation to exercise (eGAME) study Study design and methods for the ACTIVity And TEchnology (ACTIVATE) trial. Promoting weight loss through diet and exercise in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors (InForma): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial A web- and mobile phone-based intervention to prevent obesity in 4-year-olds (MINISTOP): a population-based randomized controlled trial A monitoring and feedback tool embedded in a counselling protocol to increase physical activity of patients with COPD or type 2 diabetes in primary care: study protocol of a three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial Design and baseline characteristics of participants in the Enhancing Physical Activity and Reducing Obesity through Smartcare and Financial Incentives (EPAROSFI): A pilot randomized controlled trial. The Development of a Mobile Monitoring and Feedback Tool to Stimulate Physical Activity of People With a Chronic Disease in Primary Care: A User-Centered Design Promoting physical activity through hand-held computer technology. Multidimensional individualised Physical ACTivity (Mi-PACT) – a technology-enabled intervention to promote physical activity in primary care: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Background Ageing is associated with a decrease in physical activity . This decrease particularly occurs during specific transitional life stages . Especially during adolescence and young adulthood a steep decrease in physical activity is observed . Inactive people are often not aware of their inactivity . Providing feedback on the actual physical activity level by an activity monitor can increase awareness and may in combination with an individually tailored physical activity advice stimulate a physically active lifestyle . Methods In a r and omized controlled trial the effectiveness of providing an activity monitor in combination with a personal physical activity advice through the Internet will be examined . Outcome measures are level of physical activity , determinants of physical activity , quality of life , empowerment , aerobic fitness and body composition .  Participants are relatively inactive adolescents and young adults who are measured at baseline , after 3 months intervention and 5 months after the end of the intervention . In addition , facilitating and hindering factors for implementation of the intervention will be investigated . Discussion The use of a personal activity monitor in combination with web-based assisted individually tailored health promotion offers a good opportunity to work interactively with large groups of adolescents and young adults and provide them with advice based on their actual activity level . It has great potential to motivate people to change their behaviour and to our knowledge has not been evaluated before Background / Objective : Colorectal and gynecologic cancer survivors are at cardiovascular risk due to comorbidities and sedentary behaviour , warranting a feasible intervention to increase physical activity . The Health Action Process Approach ( HAPA ) is a promising theoretical framework for health behaviour change , and wearable physical activity trackers offer a novel means of self-monitoring physical activity for cancer survivors . Method : Sixty-eight survivors of colorectal and gynecologic cancer will be r and omised into 12-week intervention and control groups . Intervention group participants will receive : a Fitbit Alta ™ to monitor physical activity , HAPA-based group sessions , booklet , and support phone-call . Participants in the control group will only receive the HAPA-based booklet . Physical activity ( using accelerometers ) , blood pressure , BMI , and HAPA constructs will be assessed at baseline , 12-weeks ( post-intervention ) and 24-weeks ( follow-up ) . Data analysis will use the Group x Time interaction from a General Linear Mixed Model analysis . Conclusions : Physical activity interventions that are acceptable and have robust theoretical underpinnings show promise for improving the health of cancer survivors OBJECTIVES . Television viewing and physical inactivity increase the risk of obesity in youth . Thus , identifying new interventions that increase physical activity and reduce television viewing would be helpful in the prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity . This study evaluated the effects of open-loop feedback plus reinforcement versus open-loop feedback alone on  physical activity , targeted sedentary behavior , body composition , and energy intake in youth . METHODS . Thirty overweight or obese 8- to 12-year-old children were r and omly assigned to an  intervention ( n = 14 ) or control group ( n = 16 ) . Participants wore accelerometers every day for 8 weeks and attended biweekly meetings to download the activity monitors . For children in the open-loop feedback plus reinforcement ( intervention ) group , accumulating 400 counts of physical activity on pedometers earned 1 hour of television/VCR/DVD time , which was controlled by a Token TV electronic device . Open-loop feedback control subjects wore activity monitors but had free access to targeted sedentary behavior . RESULTS . Compared with controls , the open-loop feedback plus reinforcement group demonstrated significantly greater increases in daily physical activity counts ( + 65 % vs + 16 % ) and minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( + 9.4 vs + 0.3 ) and greater reductions in minutes per day spent in television viewing ( −116.1 vs + 14.3 ) . The intervention group also showed more favorable changes in body composition , dietary fat intake , and energy intake from snacks compared with controls . Reductions in sedentary behavior were directly related to reductions in BMI , fat intake , snack intake , and snack intake while watching television . CONCLUSIONS . Providing feedback of physical activity in combination with reinforcing physical activity with sedentary behavior is a simple method of modifying the home environment that may play an important role in treating and preventing child obesity Background : Online social networks ( OSNs ) are a new , promising approach for catalyzing health-related behavior change . To date , the empirical evidence on their impact has been limited . Purpose : Using a r and omized trial , we assessed the impact of a health-oriented OSN with accelerometer and scales on participant ’s physical activity , weight , and clinical indicators . Methods : A sample of 349 PeaceHealth Oregon employees and family members were r and omized to the iWell OSN or a control group  and followed for 6 months in 2010 - 2011 . The iWell OSN enabled participants to connect with “ friends , ” make public postings , view contacts ’ postings , set goals , download the number of their steps from an accelerometer and their weight from a scale , view trends in physical activity and weight , and compete against others in physical activity . Both control and intervention participants received traditional education material on diet and physical activity . Laboratory data on weight and clinical indicators ( triglycerides , high-density lipoprotein , or low-density lipoprotein ) , and self-reported data on physical activity , were collected at baseline , 3 months , and 6 months . Results : At 6 months , the intervention group increased leisure walking minutes by 164 % compared with 47 % in the control group . The intervention group also lost more weight than the controls ( 5.2 pounds compared with 1.5 pounds ) . There were no observed significant differences in vigorous exercise or clinical indicators between the 2 groups . Among intervention participants , greater OSN use , as measured by number of private messages sent , was associated with a greater increase in leisure walking and greater weight reduction over the study period . Conclusions : The study provides evidence that interventions using OSNs can successfully promote increases in physical activity and weight loss Purpose : The SenseWear ™ Armb and is an activity monitor developed to improve lifestyle self-monitoring . Currently , few studies assess electronic self-monitoring and weight loss with a lifestyle intervention program . To our knowledge , only one study has used the SenseWear Armb and in combination with a lifestyle intervention to improve weight loss , and no studies have evaluated whether a self-monitoring intervention based solely on the armb and can promote weight loss . Consequently , the aims of the study were to assess weight loss from electronic self-monitoring , to compare these values to the lifestyle intervention and st and ard care groups , and to compare weight loss with lifestyle intervention with and without the armb and . Patients and methods : We recruited 197 sedentary overweight or obese adults ( age , 46.8 ± 10.8 years ; BMI , 33.3 ± 5.2 kg/m2 ) to participate in the 9-month study . Participants were r and omized into one of four weight loss groups : 1 ) the st and ard care group received a self-directed weight loss program , complete with an evidence -based weight loss manual ( st and ard care , n = 50 ) ; 2 ) a 14-week group-based behavioral weight loss program followed by weekly , biweekly , and monthly telephone counseling calls ( GWL , n = 49 ) ; 3 ) the use of the armb and to help improve lifestyle self-monitoring ( SWA alone , n = 49 ) ; or ( 4 ) the group-based behavioral weight loss program and follow-up telephone counseling calls plus the armb and ( GWL + SWA , n = 49 ) . All participants received the evidence -based weight loss manual at baseline . All measures were performed at baseline and months 4 and 9 . The primary outcomes were weight loss and waist circumference reduction . Results : This study is a well- design ed r and omized controlled study powered to detect a 0.5-kg weight loss and 0.6-cm waist circumference reduction in overweight and obese sedentary adults . Conclusion : Innovative technologies are providing lifestyle self-monitoring and weight loss tools . Utilizing these technologies may be an important step in improving the current obesity epidemic An objective evaluation of patient performance status ( PS ) is difficult because patients spend the majority of their time outside of the clinic , self-report to providers , and undergo dynamic changes throughout their treatment experience . Real-time , objective activity data may allow for a more accurate assessment of PS and physical function , while reducing the subjectivity and bias associated with current assessment s. Consenting patients with advanced cancer wore a wearble activity monitor for three consecutive visits in a prospect i ve , single-cohort clinical trial . Provider-assessed PS ( ECOG/Karnofsky ) and NIH PROMIS ® patient-reported outcomes ( PROs ) were assessed at each visit . Associations between wearable activity monitor metrics ( steps , distance , stairs ) and PS , clinical outcomes ( adverse events , hospitalizations , survival ) , and PROs were assessed using correlation statistics and in multivariable logistic regression models . Thirty-seven patients were evaluated ( 54 % male , median 62 years ) . Patients averaged 3700 steps , 1.7 miles , and 3 flights of stairs per day . Highest correlations were observed between average daily steps and ECOG-PS and KPS ( r = 0.63 and r = 0.69 , respectively p < 0.01 ) . Each 1000 steps/day increase was associated with reduced odds for adverse events ( OR : 0.34 , 95 % CI 0.13 , 0.94 ) , hospitalizations ( OR : 0.21 95 % CI 0.56 , 0.79 ) , and hazard for death ( HR : 0.48 95 % CI 0.28–0.83 ) . Significant correlations were also observed between activity metrics and PROs . Our trial demonstrates the feasibility of using wearable activity monitors to assess PS in advanced cancer patients and suggests their potential use to predict clinical and patient-reported outcomes . These findings should be vali date d in larger , r and omized trials . Wearable tech : Activity monitor tracks wellbeing of advanced cancer patients  Wearable activity monitors provide an objective and continuous measure of general wellbeing and physical function among patients with advanced cancer . Gillian Gresham from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles , California , USA , and colleagues enlisted 37 patients with metastatic or inoperable cancer to wear wristb and s that wireless measure heart rate and activity patterns over the span of 2 weeks . At weekly clinic visits , the patients also filled in health question naires and their healthcare providers made independent evaluations . The research ers found a reasonably high correlation between the clinician-assessed performance status and the average daily step total calculated by the wristb and . More steps also translated into lower odds of serious complications , hospitalizations or death . The study shows the feasibility of using wearable technology to track the ability of patients with advanced cancer to perform certain activities of daily living OBJECTIVE Maternal adiposity confers an increased risk of GDM in pregnancy . A low glycemic index ( GI ) dietary intervention has been found to improve glucose homeostasis and reduce gestational weight gain .  Mobile Health ( mHealth ) Technology-assisted interventions are becoming commonplace as an aid to treating many chronic diseases . The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a ' healthy lifestyle package ' with mHealth smart phone technology as support compared with usual care on the incidence of GDM in an overweight and obese pregnant population . METHODS We propose a r and omized controlled trial of an mHealth assisted healthy lifestyle intervention package versus st and ard obstetric care in pregnant women with a BMI ≥25kg/m(2)-39.9kg/m(2 ) . Patients are r and omized to control or intervention group in a 1:1 ratio . The intervention arm healthy lifestyle package includes a motivational counseling session to encourage behavior change , involving targeted , low GI nutritional advice and daily physical activity prescription delivered before 18weeks gestation , as well as a smart phone app to provide ongoing healthy lifestyle advice and support throughout pregnancy . The primary outcome is the incidence of GDM at 29weeks ' gestation and power analysis indicates that 253 women are required in each group to detect a difference . CONCLUSION This will be the first clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a smart phone technology-assisted targeted healthy lifestyle intervention , which is grounded in behavior change theories and techniques , to support antenatal management of an overweight and obese pregnant population in preventing GDM The use of self-monitoring as a tool to facilitate behavioral modification is common in many lifestyle-based weight loss interventions . Electronic tracking programs , including computer-based systems and smart phone applications , have been developed to allow individuals to self-monitor their behavior digitally . These programs offer an advantage over traditional self-report modalities in that they can provide users with direct feedback about dietary and /or physical activity adherence levels and thereby assist them in real-time decision making . This article describes the use of an Internet-based computerized tracking system ( CTS ) that was developed specifically for the POUNDS LOST study , a 2-year r and omized controlled trial design ed to test the efficacy of four macronutrient diets for weight and fat reduction in healthy , overweight men and women ( body mass index range = 25.0–39.9 kg/m2 ) . The CTS served many functions in this study , including data collection , dietary and exercise assessment and feedback , messaging system , and report generation . Across all groups , participants with high usage of the CTS during the initial 8 weeks lost greater amounts of weight than participants with low usage ( 8.7 % versus 5.5 % of initial body weight , respectively ; p < .001 ) at week 32 . Rates of CTS utilization were highest during the first year of this 2-year intervention , and utilization of the CTS declined steadily over time . The unique features of the CTS combined with technological developments , such as smart phone applications , offer significant potential to improve the user 's self-monitoring experience and adherence to health promotion programs design ed specifically for individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes Background Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in developed countries . Sedentary screen-based activities such as video gaming are thought to displace active behaviors and are independently associated with obesity . Active video games , where players physically interact with images onscreen , may have utility as a novel intervention to increase physical activity and improve body composition in children . The aim of the Electronic Games to Aid Motivation to Exercise ( eGAME ) study is to determine the effects of an active video game intervention over 6 months on : body mass index ( BMI ) , percent body fat , waist circumference , cardio-respiratory fitness , and physical activity levels in overweight children . Methods / Design Three hundred and thirty participants aged 10–14 years will be r and omized to receive either an  active video game up grade package  or to a control group ( no intervention ) .  Discussion An overview of the eGAME study is presented , providing an example of a large , pragmatic r and omized controlled trial in a community setting . Reflection is offered on key issues encountered during the course of the study . In particular , investigation into the feasibility of the proposed intervention , as well as robust testing of proposed study procedures is a critical step prior to implementation of a large-scale trial . Trial registration Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry BACKGROUND Physical activity is positively associated with survival and quality of life among breast cancer survivors . Despite these benefits , the majority of breast cancer survivors are insufficiently active . The potential health benefits of reducing sedentary behaviour ( sitting time ) in this population have not been extensively investigated . The ACTIVATE Trial will evaluate the efficacy of an intervention that combines wearable technology ( the Garmin Vivofit2 ® ) with traditional behavioural change approaches to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour performed by breast cancer survivors . METHODS / DESIGN This r and omised controlled trial includes inactive , postmenopausal women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer who have completed their primary treatment . Participants are r and omly assigned to the primary intervention group ( Garmin Vivofit2 ® ; behavioural feedback and goal setting session ; and , five telephone-delivered health coaching sessions ) or to the wait-list control group . The primary intervention is delivered over a 12-week period . The second 12-week period comprises a maintenance phase for the primary intervention group , and an abridged intervention ( Garmin Vivofit2 ® only ) for the wait-list control group . Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity ( MVPA ) and sedentary behaviour are assessed by accelerometry at baseline ( T1 ) , end of intervention ( T2 ) , and end of maintenance phase ( T3 ) . DISCUSSION The ACTIVATE Trial is one of the first studies to incorporate wearable technology into an intervention for cancer survivors . If the use of wearable technology ( in combination with behaviour change strategies , or alone ) proves efficacious , it may become an inexpensive and sustainable addition to the health promotion strategies available to health care providers in the cancer survivorship context . TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN12616000175471 Background Most women with breast cancer experience a progressive weight gain during and after treatment . Obesity is associated with an increased risk of recurrence , contralateral breast cancer , and death . Physical activity after cancer diagnosis has been reported to have positive effects on body composition and quality of life . We present the protocol of the InForma study , a trial testing the efficacy of an intervention on weight loss ( ≥5 % of the baseline body weight ) in a group of overweight or obese breast cancer survivors . Methods / design This is a four-arm r and omized controlled trial . Patients will receive a 6-month intervention and be followed for a further 18 months . Intervention is design ed to improve adherence to a healthy diet and /or to increase physical activity , taking advantage of a wrist-based activity monitor .  Participants will be recruited among overweight or obese breast cancer patients treated at the European Institute of Oncology , after completion of eventual adjuvant chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy . It is envisaged that 260 patients will be r and omized into four arms : Dietary Intervention ; Physical Activity Intervention ; Physical Activity and Dietary Intervention ; and Less Intensive Intervention . Women will be offered individualized counseling consisting of face-to face discussion and phone calls in addition to group meetings . A motivational interviewing approach will be used to encourage health behavior change . All participants will be given a pedometer device to monitor their physical activity . Participants ’ dietary intake will be repeatedly assessed using a vali date d food frequency question naire . Participants ’ quality of life and anxiety will be assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory question naires . Blood sample s will be collected at baseline and follow-up visits to assess lipid and hormone profiles . Body composition will be repeatedly assessed using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis for identifying changes of fat and fat-free mass . Women allocated to the less intensive intervention arm will be considered as the control group . Discussion While there is a rising concern about the role of obesity in cancer recurrence and survival , this trial with its multi-arm design , motivational approach and use of a pedometer device will provide important insights regarding the most effective approach in promoting weight control in breast cancer survivors . Trial registration IS RCT N53325751 ( registration date : 16 October 2015 ) ; Clinical Trials.gov NCT02622711 ( registration date : 2 December 2015 ) Background Childhood obesity is an increasing health problem globally . Overweight and obesity may be established as early as 2–5 years of age , highlighting the need for evidence -based effective prevention and treatment programs early in life . In adults , mobile phone based interventions for weight management ( mHealth ) have demonstrated positive effects on body mass , however , their use in child population s has yet to be examined . The aim of this paper is to report the study design and methodology of the MINSTOP ( Mobile-based Intervention Intended to Stop Obesity in Preschoolers ) trial . Methods / Design A two-arm , parallel design r and omized controlled trial in 300 healthy Swedish 4-year-olds is conducted . After baseline measures , parents are allocated to either an intervention- or control group . The 6- month mHealth intervention consists of a web-based application ( the MINSTOP app ) to help  parents promote healthy eating and physical activity in children .  MINISTOP is based on the Social Cognitive Theory and involves the delivery of a comprehensive , personalized program of information and text messages based on existing guidelines for a healthy diet and active lifestyle in pre-school children . Parents also register physical activity and intakes of c and y , soft drinks , vegetables as well as fruits of their child and receive feedback through the application . Primary outcomes include body fatness and energy intake , while secondary outcomes are time spent in sedentary , moderate , and vigorous physical activity , physical fitness and intakes of fruits and vegetables , snacks , soft drinks and c and y. Food and energy intake ( Tool for Energy balance in Children , TECH ) , body fatness ( pediatric option for BodPod ) , physical activity ( Actigraph wGT3x-BT ) and physical fitness ( the PREFIT battery of five fitness tests ) are measured at baseline , after the intervention ( six months after baseline ) and at follow-up ( 12 months after baseline ) . Discussion This novel study will evaluate the effectiveness of a mHealth program for mitigating gain in body fatness among 4-year-old children . If the intervention proves effective it has great potential to be implemented in child-health care to counteract childhood overweight and obesity . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02021786 ; 20 Dec 2013 Background Physical activity is important for a healthy lifestyle . Although physical activity can delay complications and decrease the burden of the disease , the level of activity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) or type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ( DM2 ) is often far from optimal . To stimulate physical activity , a monitoring and feedback tool , consisting of an accelerometer linked to a smart phone and webserver ( It ’s LiFe ! tool ) , and a counselling protocol for practice nurses in primary care was developed ( the Self-management Support Program ) . The main objective of this study is to measure the longitudinal effects of this counselling protocol and the added value of using the tool . Methods / Design This three-armed cluster r and omised controlled trial with 120 participants with COPD and 120 participants with DM2 ( aged 40–70 ) , compares the counselling protocol with and without the use of the tool ( group 1 and 2 ) with usual care ( group 3 ) . Recruitment takes place at GP practice s in the southern regions of the Netherl and s. R and omisation takes place at the practice level . The intended sample ( three arms of 8 practice s ) powers the study to detect a 10-minute difference of moderate and intense physical activity per day between groups 1 and 3 . Participants in the intervention groups have to visit the practice nurse 3–4 times for physical activity counselling , in a 4 - 6-month period . Specific activity goals tailored to the individual patient 's preferences and needs will be set . In addition , participants in group 1 will be instructed to use the tool in daily life . The primary outcome , physical activity , will be measured in all groups with a physical activity monitor ( PAM ) . Secondary outcomes are quality of life , general - and exercise - self-efficacy , and health status . Follow-up will take place after 6 and 9 months . Separately , a process evaluation will be conducted to explore reasons for trial non-participation , and the intervention ’s acceptability for participating patients and nurses . Discussion Results of this study will give insight into the effects of the It ’s LiFe ! monitoring and feedback tool combined with care from a practice nurse for people with COPD or DM2 on physical activity . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov : BACKGROUND An activity tracker combined with a smartphone application ( smartcare ) may help people track and receive feedback on their own activities . However , activity trackers themselves generally fail to drive long-term sustained engagement for a majority of users . One potential strategy for increasing the effectiveness of smartcare is through the use of incentives . The purpose of this pilot r and omized trial is to test the feasibility of our intervention and to assess the extent to which smartcare with or without financial incentives can increase physical activity levels and reduce weight over a 12-week period . METHODS / DESIGN This study employs a three-arm , open-label r and omized controlled trial design : control ( st and ard basic education ) , smartcare , and smartcare plus financial incentives .  Male university students with body mass index ≥ 27 are enrolled . Our primary and secondary endpoints are the amount of weight loss and the level of physical activity respectively . The weight loss goal is 3 % of baseline at week 4 , 5 % at week 8 , and 7 % at week 12 . The daily physical activity goal was individualized according to the participants ' weight . Process incentives are accumulated when participants met daily physical activity goals , and outcome incentives are provided when they met weight reduction goals . DISCUSSION Given the global increase in physical inactivity and obesity , there is a growing need for effective , scalable , and affordable health promotion strategies . Our proof-of-concept study will provide the evidence for the combination of rising health promotion technology of activity trackers and smartphone applications with the modern concept of behavioral economics using financial incentives Background  Physical activity  is an important aspect in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or type-2 diabetes . A monitoring and feedback tool combined with guidance by a primary care provider might be a successful method to enhance the level of physical activity in these patients . As a prerequisite for useful technology , it is important to involve the end-users in the design process from an early stage . Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the user requirements for a tool to stimulate physical activity  , embedded in primary care practice . The leading principle of this tool is to change behavior by self-monitoring , goal - setting , and feedback . Methods The research team collected qualitative data among 15 patients , 16 care professionals , and several experts . A prototype was developed in three stages . In stage 1 , the literature was search ed to identify end-users and context . In stage 2 , the literature , experts and patient representatives were consulted to set up a use case with the general idea of the innovation . In stage 3 , individual interviews and focus groups were held to identify the end-user requirements . Based on these requirements a prototype was built by the engineering team . Results The development process has led to a tool that generally meets the requirements of the end-users . A tri-axial activity sensor  , worn on the hip , is connected by Bluetooth to a smartphone . In an app , quantitative feedback is given about the amount of activity and goals reached by means of graphical visualization , and an image shows a sun when the goal is reached . Overviews about activity per half an hour , per day , week , and month are provided . In the menu of the app and on a secured website , patients can enter information in individual sessions or read feedback messages generated by the system . The practice nurse can see the results of all patients on a secure webpage and can then discuss the results and set personalized goals in consultation with the patient . Conclusions This study demonstrates that a user-centered approach brings in valuable details ( such as the requirements for feedback in activity minutes per day ) to improve the fit between the user , technology , and the organization of care , which is important for the usability and acceptability of the tool . The tool embedded in primary care will be evaluated in a r and omized controlled trial BACKGROUND Efforts to achieve population -wide increases in walking and similar moderate-intensity physical activities potentially can be enhanced through relevant applications of state-of-the-art interactive communication technologies . Yet few systematic efforts to evaluate the efficacy of h and -held computers and similar devices for enhancing physical activity levels have occurred . The purpose of this first-generation study was to evaluate the efficacy of a h and -held computer ( i.e. , personal digital assistant [ PDA ] ) for increasing moderate intensity or more vigorous ( MOD+ ) physical activity levels over 8 weeks in mid-life and older adults relative to a st and ard information control arm . DESIGN R and omized , controlled 8-week experiment . Data were collected in 2005 and analyzed in 2006 - 2007 . SETTING / PARTICIPANTS Community-based study of 37 healthy , initially underactive adults aged 50 years and older who were r and omized and completed the 8-week study ( intervention=19 , control=18 ) . INTERVENTION Participants received an instructional session and a PDA programmed to monitor their physical activity levels twice per day and provide daily and weekly individualized feedback , goal setting , and support . Controls received st and ard , age-appropriate written physical activity educational material s. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Physical activity was assessed via the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors ( CHAMPS ) question naire at baseline and 8 weeks . RESULTS Relative to controls , intervention participants reported significantly greater 8-week mean estimated caloric expenditure levels and minutes per week in MOD+ activity ( p<0.04 ) . Satisfaction with the PDA was reasonably high in this largely PDA-naive sample . CONCLUSIONS Results from this first-generation study indicate that h and -held computers may be effective tools for increasing initial physical activity levels among underactive adults Background Low physical activity is a major public health problem . New cost-effective approaches that stimulate meaningful long-term changes in physical activity are required , especially within primary care setting s. It is becoming clear that there are various dimensions to physical activity with independent health benefits . Advances in technology mean that it is now possible to generate multidimensional physical activity ‘ profiles ’ that provide a more complete representation of physical activity and offer a variety of options that can be tailored to the individual . Mi-PACT is a r and omised controlled trial design ed to examine whether personalised multidimensional physical activity feedback and self-monitoring alongside trainer-supportive sessions increases physical activity and improves health outcomes in at-risk men and women . Methods / Design We aim to recruit 216 patients from within primary care aged 40 to 70 years and at medium or high risk of cardiovascular disease and /or type II diabetes mellitus . Adopting an unequal allocation ratio ( intervention : control ) of 2:1 , participants will be r and omised to one of two groups , usual care or the intervention . The control group will receive usual care from their general practitioner ( GP ) and st and ardised messages about physical activity for health . The intervention group will receive physical activity monitors and access to a web-based platform for a 3-month period to enable self-monitoring and the provision of personalised feedback regarding the multidimensional nature of physical activity . In addition , this technology-enabled feedback will be discussed with participants on 5 occasions during supportive one-to-one coaching sessions across the 3-month intervention . The primary outcome measure is physical activity , which will be directly assessed using activity monitors for a 7-day period at baseline , post intervention and at 12 months . Secondary measures ( at these time-points ) include weight loss , fat mass , and markers of metabolic control , motivation and well-being . Discussion Results from this study will provide insight into the effects of integrated physical activity profiling and self-monitoring combined with in-person support on physical activity and health outcomes in patients at risk of future chronic disease . Trial registration IS RCT N18008011 Trial registration date : 31 July
Conclusion These studies provide preliminary evidence suggesting that EAMS can increase physical activity and decrease weight significantly , but their efficacy compared to other interventions has not yet been demonstrated .
Background Obesity is a growing global health concern that may lead to cardiovascular disease , type II diabetes , and cancer .
Several systematic review s have shown that technology is successful in combating obesity through increased physical activity , but there is no known review on interventions that use an electronic activity monitor system ( EAMS ) .
EAMSs are defined as a wearable device that objective ly measures lifestyle physical activity and can provide feedback , beyond the display of basic activity count information , via the monitor display or through a partnering application to elicit continual self-monitoring of activity behavior .
These devices improve upon st and ard pedometers because they have the ability to provide visual feedback on activity progression , verbal encouragement , and social comparison .
This systematic review aim ed to synthesize the efficacy and feasibility results of EAMSs within published physical activity interventions .