Feasibility and Acceptability of a Wearable Technology Physical Activity Intervention With Telephone Counseling for Mid-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Promoting physical activity using an activity monitor and a tailored web-based advice: design of a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN93896459] The effect of ongoing feedback on physical activity levels following an exercise intervention in older adults: a randomised controlled trial protocol Wearable Activity Technology And Action-Planning (WATAAP) to promote physical activity in cancer survivors: Randomised controlled trial protocol Study design and methods for the ACTIVity And TEchnology (ACTIVATE) trial. Effect and Process Evaluation of a Smartphone App to Promote an Active Lifestyle in Lower Educated Working Young Adults: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Design and baseline characteristics of participants in the TRial of Economic Incentives to Promote Physical Activity (TRIPPA): a randomized controlled trial of a six month pedometer program with financial incentives. Exploring the Efficacy and Moderators of Two Computer-Tailored Physical Activity Interventions for Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial Health Promotion Through Primary Care: Enhancing Self-Management With Activity Prescription and mHealth Multidimensional individualised Physical ACTivity (Mi-PACT) – a technology-enabled intervention to promote physical activity in primary care: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial The effectiveness of physical activity monitoring and distance counselling in an occupational health setting - a research protocol for a randomised controlled trial (CoAct) Effect of a Web-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Improve Health Among Physically Inactive Adults: A Population-Based Randomized Controlled Trial The 'Women's Lifestyle Study', 2-year randomized controlled trial of physical activity counselling in primary health care: rationale and study design The effectiveness of physical activity monitoring and distance counseling in an occupational setting – Results from a randomized controlled trial (CoAct) Self-monitoring of Physical Activity Effectiveness of a smartphone application to promote physical activity in primary care: the SMART MOVE randomised controlled trial. Promoting physical activity through hand-held computer technology.
Background As adults age , their physical activity decreases and sedentary behavior increases , leading to increased risk of negative health outcomes .  Wearable electronic activity monitors have shown promise for delivering effective behavior change techniques . However , little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of non-Fitbit wearables ( Fitbit , Inc , San Francisco , California ) combined with telephone counseling among adults aged more than 55 years . Objective The purpose of our study was to determine the feasibility , acceptability , and effect on physical activity of an intervention combining a wearable physical activity monitor , tablet device , and telephone counseling  among adults aged 55 - 79 years . Methods Adults ( N=40 , aged 55 - 79 years , body mass index=25 - 35 , < 60 min of activity per week ) were r and omized to receive a 12-week intervention or to a wait list control . Intervention participants received a Jawbone Up24 monitor , a tablet with the Jawbone Up app installed , and brief weekly telephone counseling . Participants set daily and weekly step goals and used the monitor ’s idle alert to notify them when they were sedentary for more than 1 h. Interventionists provided brief counseling once per week by telephone .  Feasibility was measured using observation and study records , and acceptability was measured by self-report using vali date d items . Physical activity and sedentary time were measured using ActivPAL monitors following st and ard protocol s. Body composition was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans , and fitness was measured using a 6-min walk test . Results Participants were 61.48 years old ( SD 5.60 ) , 85 % ( 34/40 ) female , 65 % ( 26/40 ) white .  Average activity monitor wear time was 81.85 ( SD 3.73 ) of 90 days . Of the 20 Up24 monitors , 5 were reported broken and 1 lost . No related adverse events were reported . Acceptability items were rated at least 4 on a scale of 1 - 5 . Effect sizes for most outcomes were small , including stepping time per day ( d=0.35 ) , steps per day ( d=0.26 ) , sitting time per day ( d=0.21 ) , body fat ( d=0.17 ) , and weight ( d=0.33 ) . Conclusions The intervention was feasible and acceptable in this population . Effect sizes were similar to the sizes found using other wearable electronic activity monitors , indicating that when combined with telephone counseling , wearable activity monitors are a potentially effective tool for increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov NCT01869348 ; https:// clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01869348 ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6odlIolqy 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 Physical inactivity ranks as a major contributing factor in the development and progression of chronic disease . Lifestyle interventions reduce the progression of chronic disease , however , compliance decreases over time and health effects only persist as long as the new lifestyle is maintained . Telephone counselling ( TC ) is an effective way to provide individuals with ongoing support to maintain lifestyle changes . Remote physical activity monitoring and feedback ( RAMF ) via interactive technologies such as activity trackers and smartphones may be a cost-effective alternative to TC , however , this comparison has not been made . This study , therefore , aims to determine the effect of ongoing feedback ( TC vs. RAMF ) on the maintenance of physical activity following a 12-week individualised lifestyle program , and the effect of this on health risk factors and health services usage . Methods and design A r and omised controlled trial with a parallel groups design . A total of 150 adults ( ≥60 years ) who participate in a 12-week face-to-face individualised lifestyle program will be r and omised to twelve months of RAMF ( n = 50 ) , TC ( n = 50 ) , or usual care ( n = 50 ) . Participants r and omised to RAMF will use a smartphone activity tracker app , synced to a wrist worn activity tracker , to provide them with automated feedback regarding compliance to prescribed activity targets . Telephone counselling involves a follow-up phone call every fortnight for the first three months and a monthly call for the remaining nine months of the follow-up period . The primary outcome measures are physical activity compliance ( accelerometry and Active Australia survey ) . Secondary outcome measures include cardiorespiratory fitness , muscle strength , dynamic balance , quality of life , blood pressure , body composition , and health services usage . Measures will be made before and after the individualised lifestyle program , and at three , six and twelve months during the intervention . Discussion The results of this study will help to determine the efficacy of RAMF devices on compliance to prescribed physical activity compared to the current gold st and ard of TC . If the remote monitoring proves effective , it may provide a cost efficient alternative method of assisting maintenance of behaviour change from lifestyle interventions .Trial registration ACTRN12615001104549 . Retrospectively Registered 20/10/2015 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 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 Mobile technologies have great potential to promote an active lifestyle in lower educated working young adults , an under research ed target group at a high risk of low activity levels . Objective The objective of our study was to examine the effect and process evaluation of the newly developed evidence - and theory-based smartphone app “ Active Coach ” on the objective ly measured total daily physical activity ; self-reported , context -specific physical activity ; and self-reported psychosocial variables among lower educated working young adults . Methods We recruited 130 lower educated working young adults in this 2-group cluster r and omized controlled trial and assessed outcomes at baseline , posttest ( baseline+9 weeks ) , and follow-up ( posttest+3 months ) . Intervention participants ( n=60 ) used the Active Coach app ( for 9 weeks ) combined with a Fitbit activity tracker . Personal goals , practical tips , and educational facts were provided to encourage physical activity . The control group received print-based generic physical activity information . Both groups wore accelerometers for objective measurement of physical activity , and individual interviews were conducted to assess the psychosocial variables and context -specific physical activity . Furthermore , intervention participants were asked process evaluation questions and generalized linear mixed models and descriptive statistics were applied . Results No significant intervention effects were found for objective ly measured physical activity , self-reported physical activity , and self-reported psychosocial variables ( all P>.05 ) . Intervention participants evaluated the Active Coach app and the combined use with the Fitbit wearable as self-explanatory ( 36/51 , 70.6 % ) , user friendly ( 40/51 , 78.4 % ) , and interesting ( 34/51 , 66.7 % ) . Throughout the intervention , we observed a decrease in the frequency of viewing graphical displays in the app ( P<.001 ) ; reading the tips , facts , and goals ( P<.05 ) ; and wearing the Fitbit wearable ( P<.001 ) . Few intervention participants found the tips and facts motivating ( 10/41 , 24.4 % ) , used them to be physically active ( 8/41 , 19.6 % ) , and thought they were tailored to their lifestyle ( 7/41 , 17.1 % ) . Conclusions The lack of significant intervention effects might be due to low continuous user engagement . Advice or feedback that was not perceived as adequately tailored and the difficulty to compete with many popular commercial apps on young people ’s smartphones may be responsible for a decrease in the engagement . A st and -alone app does not seem sufficient to promote an active lifestyle among lower educated working young adults ; therefore , multicomponent interventions ( using both technological and human support ) , as well as context -specific sensing to provide tailored advice , might be needed in this population . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02948803 ; https:// clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/ results /NCT02948803 ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/71OPFwaoA Non-communicable diseases ( NCDs ) are emerging as the predominant global health challenge of this century . Physical inactivity is one of the primary risk factors for NCDs . Therefore , increasing physical activity levels is a public health imperative . The arrival of affordable wearable technologies , such as wireless pedometers , provides one strategy for encouraging walking . However , the effectiveness of these technologies in promoting sustained behavior change has not been established . Insights from economics suggest that incentives may be a useful strategy for increasing maintenance and effectiveness of behavior change interventions , including physical activity interventions that rely on wearable technologies . The aim of this trial is to test the effectiveness of a common wireless pedometer with or without one of two types of incentives ( cash or donations to charity ) for reaching weekly physical activity goals . We present here the design and baseline characteristics of participants of this four arm r and omized controlled trial . 800 full-time employees ( desk-bound office workers ) belonging to 15 different worksites ( on average , 53 ( sd : 37 ) employees at each worksite ) were successfully r and omized to one of four study arms . If shown to be effective , wearable technologies in concert with financial incentives may provide a scalable and affordable health promotion strategy for governments and employers seeking to increase the physical activity levels of their constituents Background Important health benefits can be derived when low-cost ( e.g. , computer-tailored ) physical activity interventions for older adults demonstrate sustained effects . Purpose The purpose of the study was to conduct in-depth analysis on the long-term efficacy of two tailored physical activity interventions for older adults . Methods A r and omized controlled trial ( n = 1,971 ) with two computer-tailored interventions  and a no-intervention control group was conducted . The two tailored interventions consisted of three tailored letters , delivered during 4 months . The basic tailored intervention targeted psychosocial determinants alone , while the environmentally tailored intervention additionally targeted environmental determinants , by providing tailored environmental information .  Self-reported behaviors ( i.e. , total physical activity , transport walking and cycling , leisure walking and cycling , and sports ) were measured at baseline and 12 months . Additionally , potential personal , health-related , and psychosocial moderators of the intervention effects were examined . Results The environmentally tailored intervention was effective in changing total physical activity , leisure cycling , and sports compared with the basic intervention and control group . No intervention effects were found for the basic intervention . Moderation analysis revealed that participants with a higher age , lower body mass index , and higher intention were unresponsive to the interventions . Conclusions Providing environmental information is an effective intervention strategy for increasing physical activity behaviors among older adults , especially among certain “ at-risk ” subgroups such as lower educated , overweight , or insufficiently active participants . Moderation analysis was perceived as a promising method for identifying meaningful subgroups that are unaffected by an intervention , which should receive special attention in future interventions Abstract Background : It is well established in the literature that regular participation in physical activity is effective for chronic disease management and prevention . Remote monitoring technologies ( ie , mHealth ) hold promise for engaging patients in self-management of many chronic diseases . The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an mHealth study with tailored physical activity prescription targeting changes in various intensities of physical activity ( eg , exercise , sedentary behavior , or both ) for improving physiological and behavioral markers of lifestyle-related disease risk . Methods : Forty-five older adults ( aged 55–75 years ; mean age 63 ± 5 years ) were r and omly assigned to receive a personal activity program targeting changes to either daily exercise , sedentary behavior , or both . All participants received an mHealth technology kit including smartphone , blood pressure monitor , glucometer , and pedometer . Participants engaged in physical activity programming at home during the 12-week intervention period and su bmi tted physical activity ( steps/day ) , blood pressure ( mm Hg ) , body weight ( kg ) , and blood glucose ( mmol/L ) measures remotely using study -provided devices . Results : There were no differences between groups at baseline ( P > 0.05 ) . The intervention had a significant effect ( F(10 488 ) = 2.947 , P = 0.001 , ηP2 = 0.057 ) , with similar changes across all groups for physical activity , body weight , and blood pressure ( P > 0.05 ) . Changes in blood glucose were significantly different between groups , with groups prescribed high-intensity activity ( ie , exercise ) demonstrating greater reductions in blood glucose than the group prescribed changes to sedentary behavior alone ( P < 0.05 ) . Conclusions : Findings demonstrate the utility of pairing mHealth technologies with activity prescription for prevention of lifestyle-related chronic diseases among an at-risk group of older men and women . Results support the novel approach of prescribing changes to sedentary behaviors ( alone , and in conjunction with exercise ) to reduce risk of developing lifestyle-related chronic conditions 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 Background The CoAct ( Cocreating Activity ) study is investigating a novel lifestyle intervention , aim ed at the working population , with daily activity monitoring and distance counselling via telephone and secure web messages . The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle counselling on the level of physical activity in an occupational health setting . The purpose s include also analysing the potential effects of changes in physical activity on productivity at work and sickness absence , and healthcare costs . This article describes the design of the study and the participant flow until and including r and omization . Methods / Design CoAct is a r and omised controlled trial with two arms : a control group and intervention group with daily activity monitoring and distance counselling . The intervention focuses on lifestyle modification and takes 12 months . The study population consists of volunteers from 1100 eligible employees of a Finnish insurance company . The primary outcomes of this study are change in physical activity measured in MET minutes per week , work productivity and sickness absence , and healthcare utilisation . Secondary outcomes include various physiological measures . Cost-effectiveness analysis will also be performed . The outcomes will be measured by question naires at baseline , after 6 , 12 , and 24 months , and sickness absence will be obtained from the employer 's registers . Discussion No trials are yet available that have evaluated the effectiveness of daily physical activity monitoring and distance counselling in an occupational health setting over a 12 month period and no data on cost-effectiveness of such intervention are available . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov identifier : Background Many people in Western countries do not follow public health physical activity ( PA ) recommendations . Web-based interventions provide cost- and time-efficient means of delivering individually targeted lifestyle modification at a population level . Objective To examine whether access to a website with individually tailored feedback and suggestions on how to increase PA led to improved PA , anthropometrics , and health measurements . Methods Physically inactive adults ( n = 12,287 ) participating in a nationwide eHealth survey and health examination in Denmark were r and omly assigned to either an intervention ( website ) ( n = 6055 ) or a no-intervention control group ( n = 6232 ) in 2008 . The intervention website was founded on the theories of stages of change and of planned behavior and , apart from a forum page where a physiotherapist answered questions about PA and training , was fully automated . After 3 and again after 6 months we emailed participants invitations to answer a Web-based follow-up question naire , which included the long version of the International Physical Activity Question naire . A subgroup of participants ( n = 1190 ) were invited to a follow-up health examination at 3 months . Results Less than 22.0 % ( 694/3156 ) of the participants logged on to the website once and only 7.0 % ( 222/3159 ) logged on frequently . We found no difference in PA level between the website and control groups at 3- and 6-month follow-ups . By dividing participants into three groups according to use of the intervention website , we found a significant difference in total and leisure-time PA in the website group . The follow-up health examination showed no significant reductions in body mass index , waist circumference , body fat percentage , and blood pressure , or improvements in arm strength and aerobic fitness in the website group . Conclusions Based on our findings , we suggest that active users of a Web-based PA intervention can improve their level of PA . However , for unmotivated users , single-tailored feedback may be too brief . Future research should focus on developing more sophisticated interventions with the potential to reach both motivated and unmotivated sedentary individuals . Trial Registration Clinical trials.gov NCT01295203 ; http:// clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01295203 ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6B7HDMqiQ Background Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for diabetes and heart disease . There is evidence that increasing physical activity can reduce the risk of developing these chronic diseases , but less evidence about effective ways to increase adherence to physical activity . Interventions are therefore needed that produce sustained increases in adherence to physical activity , are cost-effective and improve clinical endpoints . Methods The Women 's Lifestyle Study is a two year r and omized controlled trial involving a nurse-led intervention to increase physical activity in 40–74 year old physically inactive women recruited from primary care . Baseline measures were assessed in a face-to-face interview with a primary care nurse . The intervention involved delivery of a ' Lifestyle script ' by a primary care nurse followed by telephone counselling for nine months and a face-to-face nurse visit at six months . Outcome measurements are assessed at 12 and 24 months . The primary outcome is physical activity measured using a vali date d physical activity question naire . Secondary outcomes include blood pressure , weight , waist circumference , physical fitness ( step test ) , serum HbA1c , fasting glucose , lipids , insulin , and quality of life ( SF36 ) . Costs were measured prospect ively to allow a subsequent cost-effectiveness evaluation if the trial is positive . Discussion Due to report in 2008 , the Women 's Lifestyle Study tests the effectiveness of an enhanced low-cost , evidence -based intervention in increasing physical activity , and improving cardiovascular and diabetes risk indicators over two years . If successful in demonstrating improvements in health outcomes , this r and omized controlled trial will be the first to demonstrate long-term cardiovascular and diabetes risk health benefit , in addition to improvements in physical activity , from a sustainable physical activity intervention based in primary care . Trial Registration Australian Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTR ) , ACTRN012605000490673 Background Lack of physical activity ( PA ) is a known risk factor for many health conditions . The workplace is a setting often used to promote activity and health . We investigated the effectiveness of an intervention on  PA and productivity-related outcomes in an occupational setting . Methods We conducted a r and omized controlled trial of 12 months duration with two 1:1 allocated parallel groups of insurance company employees . Eligibility criteria included permanent employment and absence of any condition that risked the participant ’s health during PA . Subjects in the intervention group monitored their daily PA with an accelerometer , set goals , had access to an online service to help them track their activity levels , and received counseling via telephone or web messages for 12 months . The control group received the results of a fitness test and an information leaflet on PA at the beginning of the study . The intervention ’s aim was to increase PA , improve work productivity , and decrease sickness absence . Primary outcomes were PA ( measured as MET minutes per week ) , work productivity ( quantity and quality of work ; QQ index ) , and sickness absence ( SA ) days at 12 months . Participants were assigned to groups using block r and omization with a computer-generated scheme . The study was not blinded . Results There were 544 r and omized participants , of which 521 were included in the analysis ( 64 % female , mean age 43 years ) . At 12 months , there was no significant difference in physical activity levels between the intervention group ( n = 264 ) and the control group ( n = 257 ) . The adjusted mean difference was −206 MET min/week [ 95 % Bayesian credible interval −540 to 128 ; negative values favor control group ] . There was also no significant difference in the QQ index ( −0.5 [ −4.4 to 3.3 ] ) or SA days ( 0.0 [ −1.2 to 0.9 ] ) . Of secondary outcomes , body weight ( 0.5 kg [ 0.0 to 1.0 ] ) and percentage of body fat ( 0.6 % [ 0.2 % to 1.1 % ] ) were slightly higher in the intervention group . An exploratory subgroup analysis revealed no subgroups in which the intervention affected physical activity . No adverse events were reported . Conclusions The intervention was not found effective , and this study does not provide support for the effectiveness of the workplace PA intervention used here . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov identifier : Purpose : The purpose of this study was to test the effect of keeping daily activity records on physical activity levels and self-efficacy for physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes , and to examine the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention from the perspective of the participants . Methods : This intervention study included 58 individuals with type 2 diabetes aged 40 to 65 years . Participants were r and omly assigned : individuals in the intervention group kept daily activity records for 6 weeks , mailed to the research er every 2 weeks . Data collection was completed at the beginning of the study and 6 weeks later , using the habitual physical activity index and the self-efficacy for exercise scale . Participants in the intervention group also completed the perceived feasibility checklist . Results : The intervention result ed in enhanced self-efficacy . Physical activity improved in both the intervention and control groups . Activity recording was judged to be acceptable and feasible . Conclusions : Daily activity recording can be used as part of a program to increase physical activity self-efficacy levels . Focused interactions between health care providers and patients may be enough to motivate people to higher levels of physical activity . The relationship between self-efficacy and behavior is complex and should be the subject of further research BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a major , potentially modifiable , risk factor for cardiovascular disease , cancer , and other chronic diseases . Effective , simple , and generalisable interventions that will increase physical activity in population s are needed . AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone application ( app ) to increase physical activity in primary care . DESIGN AND SETTING An 8-week , open-label , r and omised controlled trial in rural , primary care in the west of Irel and . METHOD And roid smartphone users > 16 years of age were recruited . All participants were provided with similar physical activity goals and information on the benefits of exercise . The intervention group was provided with a smartphone app and detailed instructions on how to use it to achieve these goals . The primary outcome was change in physical activity , as measured by a daily step count between baseline and follow-up . RESULTS A total of 139 patients were referred by their primary care health professional or self-referred . In total , 37 ( 27 % ) were screened out and 12 ( 9 % ) declined to participate , leaving 90 ( 65 % ) patients who were r and omised . Of these , 78 provided baseline data ( intervention = 37 ; control = 41 ) and 77 provided outcome data ( intervention = 37 ; control = 40 ) . The mean daily step count at baseline for intervention and control groups was 4365 and 5138 steps per day respectively . After adjusting , there was evidence of a significant treatment effect ( P = 0.009 ) ; the difference in mean improvement in daily step count from week 1 to week 8 inclusive was 1029 ( 95 % confidence interval 214 to 1843 ) steps per day , favouring the intervention . Improvements in physical activity in the intervention group were sustained until the end of the trial . CONCLUSION A simple smartphone app significantly increased physical activity over 8 weeks in a primary care population 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
CONCLUSIONS Utilizing a consumer-based wearable activity tracker as either the primary component of an intervention or as part of a broader physical activity intervention has the potential to increase physical activity participation .
BACKGROUND The range of benefits associated with regular physical activity participation is irrefutable .
Despite the well-known benefits , physical inactivity remains one of the major contributing factors to ill-health throughout industrialized countries .
Traditional lifestyle interventions such as group education or telephone counseling are effective at increasing physical activity participation ; however , physical activity levels tend to decline over time .
Consumer-based wearable activity trackers that allow users to objective ly monitor activity levels are now widely available and may offer an alternative method for assisting individuals to remain physically active .
OBJECTIVE This review aim ed to determine the effects of interventions utilizing consumer-based wearable activity trackers on physical activity participation and sedentary behavior when compared with interventions that do not utilize activity tracker feedback .