Randomized controlled trial of effectiveness of pedometers on general practitioners' attitudes to engagement in and promotion of physical activity Pedometer use in university freshmen: a randomized controlled pilot study. Effectiveness of pedometer use in motivating active duty and other military healthcare beneficiaries to walk more. Pedometers as a means to increase ambulatory activity for patients seen at a family medicine clinic. The effect of pedometer use in combination with cognitive and behavioral support materials to promote physical activity. The feasibility of using pedometers and brief advice to increase activity in sedentary older women – a pilot study Effectiveness of a pedometer-based program using a socio-cognitive intervention on physical activity and quality of life in a setting of cardiac rehabilitation. The mPED randomized controlled clinical trial: applying mobile persuasive technologies to increase physical activity in sedentary women protocol Feasibility of pedometers for adults with schizophrenia: pilot study. Using pedometers to increase physical activity in overweight and obese women: a pilot study Descriptive epidemiology of youth pedometer-determined physical activity: CANPLAY. Steps that count! : The development of a pedometer-based health promotion intervention in an employed, health insured South African population The effects of a lifestyle physical activity counseling program with feedback of a pedometer during pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD: a pilot study. A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating motivationally matched pedometer feedback to increase physical activity behavior in older adults. Correlates of pedometer use: Results from a community-based physical activity intervention trial (10,000 Steps Rockhampton) Effects of exercise intervention in breast cancer patients: is mobile health (mHealth) with pedometer more effective than conventional program using brochure? Impact of Using a Pedometer on Time Spent Walking in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Abstract Pedometers have been identified as a tool for health professionals to promote physical activity . This study , which aim ed to evaluate the effectiveness of wearing a pedometer on general practitioners ' attitudes to promoting physical activity , was a pragmatic , multi-centred , r and omized controlled trial within a primary care trust in Engl and . The participants were 102 general practitioners ( GPs ) . Eighty-five ( 48 males , 37 females ) of the GPs completed pre and post question naires , 43 of whom were in the intervention group . Statistical analysis revealed no significant changes between the control and intervention groups for attitude to engage in physical activity ( t 83 = 1.13 , CI −0.362 to 0.099 ) or attitude to promote physical activity in their patients ( t 83 = 1.7 , CI −0.593 to 0.045 ) . A higher volume of walking was significantly correlated with a more positive attitude to engage in physical activity ( r = 0.58 , P < 0.01 ) but not with a more positive attitude to promoting physical activity . Wearing a pedometer had no significant effect on GPs ' attitudes to engaging in physical activity or promoting physical activity in their patients OBJECTIVES To describe activity patterns associated with a pedometer intervention in university freshmen and compare the intervention participants to controls for several health outcomes . METHODS Forty-six university freshmen were r and omized to a group that wore a pedometer across the academic year with a goal of 10,000 steps/day or to a control group . RESULTS  Pedometer counts were highest initially but decreased over the academic year . December presented the fewest counts . There was little difference between groups in fitness or body composition . CONCLUSIONS Consideration of high-risk months and recommended steps/day may be important to effectively use pedometers to influence some health outcomes in university freshmen Although implementing a regular exercise program may initially seem overwhelming to individuals attempting weight loss , increasing walking with a focus on steps-per-day may be a more realistic means for encouraging physical activity . This study evaluated the effectiveness of pedometer use for motivating an increase in physical activity among overweight/obese military beneficiaries . Participants ( N=106 ) were r and omly assigned to either the " Usual Lifestyle " ( no change in activity advised ) or " Pedometer " group ( education and encouraged to obtain 10,000 steps per day ) , and both groups were assessed for changes in physical activity , anthropometric measures , and clinic measures over time . Results ( n=89 ) demonstrated improvements in physical activity and all measured indices across both groups . There was a statistically significant increase in steps per day by time ( P<.001 ) , however , no statistically significant difference between treatment groups over time ( P=.167 ) . Approximately 49.4 % of participants achieved the 10,000 steps per day goal at follow-up . All secondary measured indices , except blood pressure , demonstrated a significant change overall from baseline to posttest : weight ( P<.001 ) , BMI ( P<.001 ) , percent body fat ( P=.001 ) and heart rate ( P=.005 ) . Findings indicate that all participants made lifestyle changes , possibly as a result of frequent investigator-participant interaction , however , more likely due to the pedometer serving as a tangible tool to constantly remind the wearer to get up and walk more , regardless if a step count is tracked Because of their frequent encounters with sedentary patients , family physicians are poised to be on the forefront of the medical community 's response to physical inactivity . The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether the addition of a pedometer to brief physician counseling could help patients increase their ambulatory activity .  Ninety four participants recruited from a family medicine clinic were r and omly assigned to 2 groups . Both groups received a brief physician endorsement of regular physical activity , a h and out on the benefits of an active lifestyle , and 3 follow-up phone calls from a health educator . In addition , the intervention group received a pedometer and was instructed to record their steps daily over the 9-week study period . Measurements were taken for self-reported walking , walking stage-of-change , walking self-efficacy , and pedometer steps ( intervention group only ) . Among completers , mean daily step counts in the pedometer group rose from 6779 at baseline to 8855 at study end . Average individual improvement was 41 % over the study period . Both groups significantly increased blocks walked per day , stair climbing versus using the elevator , days per week walking > or = 30 minutes , and walking for fun/leisure . The frequency of walking short trips improved significantly more in the pedometer group relative to the comparison group . The results of this pilot study highlight the need for further research on the use of pedometers as a motivational tool in the context of medical encounters with inactive patients OBJECTIVE 1 . To demonstrate that combining pedometer use with cognitive and behavioral support material s has a positive effect on  physical activity ( PA ) and attitudes towards pedometer  use . 2 . To investigate how familiar the study sample is with pedometers and the ' 10,000 steps/day ' recommendation . METHODS From a r and om sample , drawn from the phone book , 304 volunteered ( 18 - 75 year ) to complete a question naire about familiarity with pedometers and the ' 10,000 steps/day ' recommendation . A sample of 103 participants agreed to wear a pedometer  for 3 weeks , and was r and omly assigned to a condition with cognitive and behavioral support material s ( n=51 ) or without these material s ( n=52 ) . Participants completed the  International Physical Activity Question  naire before and after 21 days of pedometer use and an additional question naire on the attitudes towards pedometer use . RESULTS More than 58 % had never heard of a pedometer . In both conditions , walking ( F=10 , p=0.002 ) , moderate PA ( F=11 , p=0.001 ) , and vigorous PA ( F=14 , p<0.001 ) increased over time , however no interaction effects could be found . Significantly more participants in the condition with support material s had a positive attitude towards pedometer use . CONCLUSION Wearing a pedometer , with or without support material s , may increase PA . In our study , cognitive and behavioral support material s only affected attitudes towards pedometer use . PRACTICE IMPLICATION S More research is needed to investigate the effect of combining pedometer use with support material s on a longer time base and in less motivated people Background People over the age of 70 carry the greatest burden of chronic disease , disability and health care use . Participation in physical activity is crucial for health , and walking accounts for much of the physical activity undertaken by sedentary individuals . Pedometers are a useful motivational tool to encourage increased walking and they are cheap and easy to use . The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of the use of pedometers plus a theory-based intervention to assist sedentary older women to accumulate increasing amounts of physical activity , mainly through walking . Methods Female participants over the age of 70 were recruited from primary care and r and omised to receive either pedometer plus a theory-based intervention or a theory-based intervention alone . The theory-based intervention consisted of motivational techniques , goal - setting , barrier identification and self-monitoring with pedometers and daily diaries . The pedometer group were further r and omised to one of three target groups : a 10 % , 15 % or 20 % monthly increase in step count to assess the achievability and acceptability of a range of targets . The primary outcome was change in daily activity levels measured by accelerometry . Secondary outcome measures were lower limb function , health related quality of life , anxiety and depression . Results 54 participants were recruited into the study , with an average age of 76 . There were 9 drop outs , 45 completing the study . All participants in the pedometer group found the pedometers easy to use and there was good compliance with diary keeping ( 96 % in the pedometer group and 83 % in the theory-based intervention alone group ) . There was a strong correlation ( 0.78 ) between accelerometry and pedometer step counts i.e. indicating that walking was the main physical activity amongst participants . There was a greater increase in activity ( accelerometry ) amongst those in the 20 % target pedometer group compared to the other groups , although not reaching statistical significance ( p = 0.192 ) . Conclusion We have demonstrated that it is feasible to use pedometers and provide theory-based advice to community dwelling sedentary older women to increase physical activity levels and a larger study is planned to investigate this further BACKGROUND Physical activity contributes to improve health and quality of life . However , the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle is elevated after an acute coronary syndrome . METHODS A r and omized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the impact of a pedometer-based program associated with a socio-cognitive intervention on physical activity behaviour , cardiovascular risk factors , and quality of life during the year after an acute coronary syndrome event . During hospitalization , we r and omized 32 patients to an experimental group and 33 patients to a usual care group . The experimental intervention included 6 consultations with a clinical nurse specialist during 12 months . RESULTS Groups characteristics were comparable . At baseline , the percentage of participants considered in the active range category was similar between groups ( 31 % vs 41 % ; P = 0.915 ) . However , the proportion of participants who were still active was greater in the experimental group than in the usual care group at 6 , 9 , and 12 months follow-up ( 75 % vs 41 % ; 68 % vs 36 % , and 83 % vs 55 % , respectively ; P < 0.05 ) . After 12 months , changes in overall quality of life and in health and the functioning scores were different between groups ( interaction effects [ groups by time ] P = 0.048 and P = 0.036 , respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS The use of a pedometer concomitantly with a socio-cognitive intervention improves adherence to physical activity and quality of life during the year after an acute coronary syndrome event . This finding is relevant because physical activity and quality of life are a great concern in preventive cardiology . These results support applying this innovative approach in cardiac rehabilitation programs Background Despite the significant health benefits of regular physical activity , approximately half of American adults , particularly women and minorities , do not meet the current physical activity recommendations . Mobile phone technologies are readily available , easily accessible and may provide a potentially powerful tool for delivering physical activity interventions . However , we need to underst and how to effectively apply these mobile technologies to increase and maintain physical activity in physically inactive women . The purpose of this paper is to describe the study design and protocol of the mPED ( mobile phone based physical activity education ) r and omized controlled clinical trial that examines the efficacy of a 3-month mobile phone and pedometer based physical activity intervention and compares two different 6-month maintenance interventions . Methods A r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) with three arms ; 1 ) PLUS ( 3-month mobile phone and pedometer based physical activity intervention and 6-month mobile phone diary maintenance intervention ) , 2 ) REGULAR ( 3-month mobile phone and pedometer based physical activity intervention and 6-month pedometer maintenance intervention ) , and 3 ) CONTROL ( pedometer only , but no intervention will be conducted ) . A total of 192 physically inactive women who meet all inclusion criteria and successfully complete a 3-week run-in will be r and omized into one of the three groups . The mobile phone serves as a means of delivering the physical activity intervention , setting individualized weekly physical activity goals , and providing self-monitoring ( activity diary ) , immediate feedback and social support . The mobile phone also functions as a tool for communication and real-time data capture . The primary outcome is objective ly measured physical activity . Discussion If efficacy of the intervention with a mobile phone is demonstrated , the results of this RCT will be able to provide new insights for current behavioral sciences and mHealth . Trial Registration Clinical The purpose of this prospect i ve and observational design study was to assess the feasibility of using a pedometer and step log to explore  level of physical activity ( PA )  and to assess motivation to be physically active in adults with schizophrenia . Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data of 7 male and 5 female subjects . Pedometer data indicated that subjects walked an average of 4731.03 ( ±3318.19 ) steps and 5002.58 ( ±3041.03 ) during the first week and second week of the study , respectively . A minimum 30-min walk was recorded on an average of 3.67 ( ±1.82 ) days ( week one ) and 4.5 ( ±1.88 ) days ( week two ) . Step logs , inconsistently maintained by subjects , were not able to be analysed . Examination of the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised ( MPAM-R ) at baseline indicates that exercise fitness and body appearance were subjects ' primary motives for PA participation . Study findings indicate that it is feasible to use a pedometer to monitor the level of PA  . However , maintenance of a concurrent step log requires further consideration to determine realistic outcomes . Extrinsically focused motivations for PA in this study sample may predict low PA adherence Background Most public health guidelines recommend that adults participate in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week . Establishing new ways to achieve these targets in sedentary population s need to be explored . This research evaluated whether the daily use of pedometers could increase physical activity and improve health outcomes in sedentary overweight and obese women . Methods Twenty six overweight and obese middle-aged women were r and omized into two groups : The control group was not able to record their steps daily , whilst the pedometer group , were asked to record the number of steps on a daily basis for 12 weeks . Results Our data showed that the pedometer group significantly increased their steps/day , by 36 % , at the end of the 12 weeks , whereas the control group 's physical activity levels remained unchanged . There was no significant difference in weight or body fat composition in the pedometer group compared to the control group . However , there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure in the pedometer group ( 112.8 ± 2.44 mm Hg ) compared to the control group ( 117.3 ± 2.03 mm Hg ) ( p = 0.003 ) . Conclusion In conclusion , this pilot study shows that the combination of having step goals and immediate feedback from using a pedometer was effective in increasing physical activity levels in sedentary overweight and obese women . Trial registration PURPOSE Objective measurement with body worn instrumentation is a preferred and increasingly common way to gather information about young people 's physical activity . Measured sample s have been typically small and recruited through schools . The purpose of this article was to present the descriptive epidemiology of children and youth pedometer-determined  physical activity on the basis of a large national sample . METHODS Children and youth ( 19,789 ) were recruited through r and om digit dialing . Participants were asked to wear the pedometer for seven consecutive days and to log daily steps . Of the 58 % of participants who returned pedometer data , 95 % wore the pedometer for at least 5 d. Daily step counts below 1000 or above 30,000 steps were truncated accordingly , and all values were included in the descriptive analysis . RESULTS Boys and girls aged 5 - 19 yr took 12,259 and 10,906 steps per day , respectively . Daily steps were higher among boys than girls and declined by age group in a pattern consistent with that predicted by other smaller sample s internationally . Weekday steps per day were generally higher than weekend day steps per day and varied by season . CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the viability of using relatively inexpensive pedometers and methods for the surveillance of young people 's physical activity . The result ing descriptive data provide key information regarding the population distribution of pedometer-determined physical activity that may be useful for identifying target groups for population strategies and other interventions Background  Physical activity ( PA )  has been identified as a central component in the promotion of health . PA programs can provide a low cost intervention opportunity , encouraging PA behavioral change while worksites have been shown to be an appropriate setting for implementing such health promotion programs . Along with these trends , there has been an emergence of the use of pedometers as a self-monitoring and motivational aid for PA.This study determines the effectiveness of a worksite health promotion program comprising of a 10-week , pedometer-based intervention ( “ Steps that Count ! ” ) , and individualized email-based feedback to effect PA behavioral change . Methods The study is a r and omized controlled trial in a worksite setting , using pedometers and individualized email-based feedback to increase steps per day ( steps/d ) .  Participant selection will be based on attendance at a corporate wellness event and information obtained , following the completion of a Health Risk Appraisal ( HRA ) , in keeping with inclusion criteria for the study . All participants will , at week 1 ( pre-intervention ) , be provided with a blinded pedometer to assess baseline levels of PA . Participants will be provided with feedback on pedometer data and identify strategies to improve daily PA towards current PA recommendations . Participants will thereafter be r and omly assigned to the intervention group ( INT ) or control group ( CTL ) . The INT will subsequently wear an un-blinded pedometer for 10 consecutive weeks . Individualized feedback messages based on average steps per day , derived from pedometer data ( INT ) and general supportive/motivational messages ( INT+CTL ) , will be provided via bi-weekly e-mails ; blinded pedometer-wear will be conducted at week 12 ( post-intervention : INT+CTL ) . Discussion The purpose of this paper is to outline the rationale behind , and the development of , an intervention aim ed at improving ambulatory PA through pedometer use , combined with regular , individualized , email-based feedback . Pedometer-measured PA and individualized feedback may be a practical and easily applied intervention . Trial registration Number : DOH-27 - 0112 - OBJECTIVE To study the effects of a lifestyle physical activity counseling program with feedback of a pedometer during pulmonary rehabilitation . METHODS Twenty-one chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) patients were r and omized to an experimental group that followed a regular rehabilitation program plus the counseling intervention or to a control group that only followed rehabilitation . The primary outcome was daily physical activity assessed by pedometers . Secondary outcomes were physical fitness , health-related quality of life , activities of daily living , depression and self-efficacy . RESULTS The experimental group showed an increase of 1,430 steps/day ( + 69 % from baseline ) , whereas the control group showed an increase of 455 steps/day ( + 19 % ) ( p = 0.11 for group x time interaction ) . The secondary outcomes showed no differences . CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATION S This study showed that the use of the pedometer , in combination with exercise counseling and the stimulation of lifestyle physical activity , is a feasible addition to pulmonary rehabilitation which may improve outcome and maintenance of rehabilitation results BACKGROUND Increasing physical activity ( PA ) levels in older adults represents an important public health challenge . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of combining individualized motivational messaging with pedometer walking step targets to increase PA in previously inactive and insufficiently active older adults . METHODS In this 12-week intervention study older adults were r and omized to 1 of 4 study arms : Group 1 - -control ; Group 2 - -pedometer 10,000 step goal ; Group 3 - -pedometer step goal plus individualized motivational feedback ; or Group 4 - -everything in Group 3 augmented with biweekly telephone feedback . RESULTS 81 participants were r and omized into the study , 61 participants completed the study with an average age of 63.8 ± 6.0 years . Group 1 did not differ in accumulated steps/day following the 12-week intervention compared with participants in Group 2 . Participants in Groups 3 and 4 took on average 2159 ( P < .001 ) and 2488 ( P < .001 ) more steps/day , respectively , than those in Group 1 after the 12-week intervention . CONCLUSION In this 12-week pilot r and omized control trial , a pedometer feedback intervention partnered with individually matched motivational messaging was an effective intervention strategy to significantly increase PA behavior in previously inactive and insufficiently active older adults Background Pedometers have become common place in physical activity promotion , yet little information exists on who is using them . The multi- strategy , community-based 10,000 Steps Rockhampton physical activity intervention trial provided an opportunity to examine correlates of pedometer use at the population level . Methods Pedometer use was promoted across all intervention strategies including : local media , pedometer loan schemes through general practice , other health professionals and libraries , direct mail posted to dog owners , walking trail signage , and workplace competitions . Data on  pedometer use were collected during the 2-year follow-up telephone interviews from r and om population sample s in Rockhampton , Australia , and a matched comparison community ( Mackay ) . Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent influence of interpersonal characteristics and program exposure variables on pedometer use . Results Data from 2478 participants indicated that 18.1 % of Rockhampton and 5.6 % of Mackay participants used a  pedometer  in the previous 18-months . Rockhampton  pedometer  users ( n = 222 ) were more likely to be female ( OR = 1.59 , 95 % CI : 1.11 , 2.23 ) , aged 45 or older ( OR = 1.69 , 95 % CI : 1.16 , 2.46 ) and to have higher levels of education ( university degree OR = 4.23 , 95 % CI : 1.86 , 9.6 ) . Respondents with a BMI > 30 were more likely to report using a pedometer  ( OR = 1.68 , 95 % CI : 1.11 , 2.54 ) than those in the healthy weight range . Compared with those in full-time paid work , respondents in ' home duties ' were significantly less likely to report  pedometer use ( OR = 0.18 , 95 % CI : 0.06 , 0.53 ) . Exposure to individual program components , in particular seeing 10,000 Steps street signage and walking trails or visiting the website , was also significantly associated with greater  pedometer use . Conclusion  Pedometer use varies between population subgroups , and alternate strategies need to be investigated to engage men , people with lower levels of education and those in full-time ' home duties ' , when using pedometers in community-based physical activity promotion initiatives Purpose To investigate and compare the effects of mobile health ( mHealth ) and pedometer with conventional exercise program using a brochure on physical function and quality of life ( QOL ) . Methods The study was a prospect i ve , quasi-r and omized multicenter trial where 356 patients whose cancer treatment had been terminated were enrolled . All patients were instructed to perform a 12-week regimen of aerobic and resistance exercise . The mHealth group received a pedometer and a newly developed smartphone application to provide information and monitor the prescribed exercises . Those in the conventional group received an exercise brochure . Physical measurements were conducted at baseline , 6 weeks , and 12 weeks . Self-reported physical activity ( international physical activity question naire-short form ) , general QOL ( European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Question naire Core 30 ) , and breast cancer-specific QOL ( Quality of Life Question naire Breast Cancer Module 23 ) were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks . A user satisfaction survey was assessed in the mHealth group . Results Basic characteristics were not different between the two groups except for age and previous radiotherapy . Physical function , physical activity , and QOL scores were significantly improved regardless of the intervention method , and changes were not significantly different between the two groups . Additionally , the mean Likert scale response for overall satisfaction with the service was 4.27/5 in the mHealth group . Conclusions Overall , both the mHealth coupled with pedometer and conventional exercise education using a brochure were effective in improving physical function , physical activity , and QOL . This study provides a basis of mHealth research in breast cancer patients for progressing further developing field , although superiority of the mHealth over the conventional program was not definitely evident Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of using a pedometer on time spent walking , in sedentary and overweight adults with type 2 diabetes participating in a coaching intervention . It was hypothesized that participants using a pedometer would spend more time walking than would nonpedometer participants . Method : A sample of 57 men and women with a mean age of 62 years participated in a r and omized controlled trial in a community setting . Participants were allocated to either a pedometer and coaching ( intervention ) group or a coaching-only ( control ) group . Coaching for both groups involved education , goal setting , and supportive/motivational strategies to increase  time spent walking .  The duration of the study was 6 months , with blood pressure , glycosylated hemoglobin , anthropometric , and fitness measurements assessed at baseline and at 3-month intervals . Results : A repeated- measures analysis of variance indicated that the coaching-only group spent significantly more time walking than did the pedometer group . However , when an analysis of covariance with all the other variables as covariates was performed , group membership had no influence on time spent walking . Significant reductions in waist circumference and weight were achieved for both groups from baseline to 6 months . Cardiovascular fitness also increased significantly for both groups . Conclusion : The study demonstrated that previously sedentary older adults with type 2 diabetes , supported with a coaching intervention , were able to achieve the physical activity targets known to be beneficial to health . However , using a pedometer added no further benefit . Further research on the impact of specific coaching strategies in diabetes management is warranted
The results suggest that the use of a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and significant decreases in body mass index and blood pressure .
CONTEXT Without detailed evidence of their effectiveness , pedometers have recently become popular as a tool for motivating physical activity .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of pedometer use with physical activity and health outcomes among outpatient adults .