Using Combined Instantaneous and Multidimensional Feedback to Support a Change in Physical Activity Behaviour

University of Bath

Status: Completed

Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Cardiovascular Diseases; Motor Activity

Treatments: Behavioral: Instant + Multidimensional Physical Activity Feedback

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02432924

EP-14/15-10

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary aim of the study is to examine whether the provision of personalised multidimensional physical activity profiles (derived from technological advances in physical activity monitoring) is supported by instantaneous physical activity feedback in fostering a meaningful change in physical activity behaviour amongst adults.

Full description

Advancements in monitoring technology not only permit the accurate capture of sophisticated physical activity information but also enable the provision of bespoke multidimensional feedback. Personalised feedback, self-monitoring and goal-setting are techniques that have been shown to be very effective in supporting a change in behaviour through improved motivation and awareness. To date the feedback provided in physical activity interventions invariably focuses on just one aspect of the behaviour and has had mixed results. Pedometers for example with a sole focus on the number of steps one takes has been shown to be a reasonably effective form of instant feedback in the short-term but its effects are rarely sustained after the device is removed. Tailored information about the achievement of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity is also only partially effective. One of the reasons might be that in focusing on just one aspect becomes prescriptive and doesn't allow individuals to explore the other important aspects that might be more aligned to their interests, needs and preferences. Having such narrow focused goals and information would likely frustrate rather than support an individual's needs for autonomy and competence, which is thought to be crucial in the adoption and maintenance of a new behaviour.

In this research, we want to find out whether the provision of both instantaneous and multidimensional personalised feedback about the different health-harnessing aspects of physical activity is effective in supporting adults in making a meaningful change to their physical activity behaviour. The study will take a mixed methods approach which will involve two phases. Phase 1 will involve a 2 group randomised control trial that will examine the use of combined instantaneous and multidimensional feedback over a 6-week period with a further follow-up outcome assessment a further 6-weeks after the intervention has finished. The second phase will involve a short one-to-one semi structured interview with each intervention participant that will be designed to qualitatively explore the preferred features of the intervention that were most effective for motivating and supporting a change in behaviour and/or to understand why it wasn't effective if applicable. The qualitative interviews will take place after the 6-week follow-up assessments have been completed so not to influence the results of any outcome measures.

Enrollment: 57 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged between 40-70 years inclusive
• Able to give informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD stages 3-5), type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease
• Those with 'severe hypertension' defined as a BP greater than 180/110 mmHg.
• A BMI >40 kg/m2
• Use of weight loss drugs.
• A large recent (i.e. last 6 months) shift (>5%) in body mass or change in lifestyle.
• Those unable to change their physical activity (e.g. through disability or illness).
• Individuals who already lead highly physically active lifestyles (PAL > 2.0)
• Individuals who are not fluent in the English language.
• Pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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57 participants in 2 patient groups

Feedback Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants randomised into the intervention group will be invited to return to the university for a one-off 60 minute set-up session once their physical activity monitor has been returned and processed. Within this session the participant will be given detailed instructions on how to use and wear the activity monitor and real time display and upload their data to and navigate the multidimensional feedback web platform (See materials section for details). They will also be introduced to the concept of goal setting and talked through the different aspects of the instantaneous feedback display and how that might benefit them. Following this visit the participant will be given licence to wear and use the physical activity monitoring devices for a 6-week period and encouraged to self-monitor their behaviour using the combined instantaneous and multidimensional feedback.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Instant + Multidimensional Physical Activity Feedback

Waiting List Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants who have been randomised into the control arm will be put on a 3 month waiting list to receive the intervention described above. They will still attend assessment visits at week 6 and week 12 while they are not receiving any advice or feedback. Following their 12 week assessment, participants in the control arm will be invited to attend the same 60 minute set-up session as received by the intervention group and then provided with the armband monitor and display to then receive the intervention in full. No further post-intervention or follow-up assessments will be taken from these participants.