Utilizing Tailored Step-Count Feedback to Enhance Physical Activity in the Elderly (StepCount)

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Status and phase: Unknown; Phase 2

Conditions: Physical Activity; Elderly

Treatments: Behavioral: Web Mediated Step Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT01158638

K01AG025962 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

StepCount

Details and patient eligibility

About

Individually tailored, mediated pedometer feedback will provide an effective method to promote physical activity adoption in the elderly

Enrollment: 160 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Male or female individuals living in the community.

2. Aged between 50 and 85 years, at screening.

3. Sufficient physical function not to have limitations to participate in physical activity demonstrated by:

   • Habitual gait speed ≥ 1.5 mph, AND
   • No use of a cane or walker, AND
   • Able to walk ≥ 50 feet unaided

4. Sufficient cognitive function, as demonstrated by responses to the mini-mental state examination(>23 score).

5. Be able to read and write in English

6. Sedentary behavior, demonstrated by no regular activity / exercise for previous 6 months and/or a Stage of Change 2 and 3

Exclusion criteria

1. Presence of a rapidly progressive or terminal illness condition that is expected to result in significant functional decline during the course of the proposed studies.
2. Significant uncontrolled cardiovascular disease and conditions, e.g. unstable or new onset angina, unrepaired aortic aneurysms, critical aortic stenosis or CAD without bypass, persistent moderate to severe uncontrolled hypertension.
3. Significant uncontrolled metabolic disease, e.g. hemoglobin A1c levels greater than 8.0 and/or glucose levels greater than 300 mg/dL.
4. Fracture of lower extremity within three months.
5. Amputation other than toes.
6. Current history of severe arthritis or orthopedic condition precluding physical activity.
7. Participation in any regular structured exercise (resistance training, Tai Chi, high intensity walking, jogging, cycling, stair climbing, stepping, within the previous 6 months.
8. Individuals that start a new medication that can impact health variables examined during study period (e.g., beta blockers, glucose or cholesterol altering medications), or individuals who alter medication dose that can impact health variables examined within study period.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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160 participants in 3 patient groups

Usual Care

No Intervention group

Description:

Usual Care

10,000 Steps Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Each participant randomized to this study arm will receive a pedometer and a generic recommendation to accumulate 10,000 Steps per Day.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Web Mediated Step Intervention

Web Mediated Step Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants randomized to this study arm receive an introduction to the study website. Each person utilizes the website to track their daily physical activity steps. Goals are given on a weekly basis to increase steps by 10% per day per week over baseline values. The website channels each participant through a series of motivational messages designed to increase compliance with recommended physical activity targets

Treatment:

Behavioral: Web Mediated Step Intervention