Recruiting and retaining hard-to-reach populations: Lessons learned and targeted strategies from arthritis physical activity intervention studies

AbstractIntervention studies often assume that changes in an outcome are homogenous across the population, however this assumption might not always hold. This article describes how latent class growth modelling (LCGM) can be performed in intervention studies, using an empirical example, and discusses the challenges and potential implications of this method. The analysis included 110 young adults with mobility disability that had participated in a parallel randomized controlled trial and received either a mobile app program (n = 55) or a supervised health program (n = 55) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was accelerometer measured moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels in min/day assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1-year post intervention. The mean change of MVPA from baseline to 1-year was estimated using paired t-test. LCGM was performed to determine the trajectories of MVPA. Logistic regression models were used to identify potential predictors of trajectories. There was no significant difference between baseline and 1-year MVPA levels (4.8 min/day, 95% CI: −1.4, 10.9). Four MVPA trajectories, ‘Normal/Decrease’, ‘Normal/Increase’, ‘Normal/Rapid increase’, and ‘High/Increase’, were identified through LCGM. Individuals with younger age and higher baseline MVPA were more likely to have increasing trajectories of MVPA. LCGM uncovered hidden trajectories of physical activity that were not represented by the average pattern. This approach could provide significant insights when included in intervention studies. For higher accuracy it is recommended to include larger sample sizes.

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The Influence of Physical Activity on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Youths: A Review

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.23.2.169 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 169-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Bernard Gutin ◽

Scott Owens

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Organ Damage ◽

Preventive Interventions ◽

Active Lifestyle ◽

Physically Active

The purposes of this article were to (1): review recent studies of relations between physical activity and cardiometabolic biomarkers of youths (2); highlight areas in which additional research is needed; and (3) make recommendations for preventive interventions. Observational studies show that youths who engage in high amounts of moderate-vigorous physical activity display a more favorable cardiometabolic biomarker profile than youths who engage in lesser amounts of moderate-vigorous physical activity. Intervention studies in obese youths show that favorable changes in biomarkers are produced by moderate-vigorous physical activity doses of 150–180 min/week. However, for nonobese youths, intervention studies suggest that such doses are not effective; higher moderate-vigorous physical activity doses of approximately 300 min/week seem necessary. Continuing a physically active lifestyle from childhood into the adult years will enable people to maintain less end-organ damage and lower rates of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

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Physical Activity Intervention Studies

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circulationaha.106.179683 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 114 (24) ◽

pp. 2739-2752 ◽

Cited By ~ 330

Author(s):

Bess H. Marcus ◽

David M. Williams ◽

Patricia M. Dubbert ◽

James F. Sallis ◽

Abby C. King ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Physical Activity Intervention

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Reporting accelerometer methods in physical activity intervention studies: a systematic review and recommendations for authors

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2015-095947 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 52 (23) ◽

pp. 1507-1516 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Alexander H K Montoye ◽

Rebecca W Moore ◽

Heather R Bowles ◽

Robert Korycinski ◽

Karin A Pfeiffer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Data Processing ◽

Impact Factor ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Pubmed Database ◽

Reporting Data ◽

Over Time

ObjectiveThis systematic review assessed the completeness of accelerometer reporting in physical activity (PA) intervention studies and assessed factors related to accelerometer reporting.DesignThe PubMed database was used to identify manuscripts for inclusion. Included studies were PA interventions that used accelerometers, were written in English and were conducted between 1 January 1998 and 31 July 2014. 195 manuscripts from PA interventions that used accelerometers to measure PA were included. Manuscript completeness was scored using 12 questions focused on 3 accelerometer reporting areas: accelerometer information, data processing and interpretation and protocol non-compliance. Variables, including publication year, journal focus and impact factor, and population studied were evaluated to assess trends in reporting completeness.ResultsThe number of manuscripts using accelerometers to assess PA in interventions increased from 1 in 2002 to 29 in the first 7 months of 2014. Accelerometer reporting completeness correlated weakly with publication year (r=0.24, p<0.001). Correlations were greater when we assessed improvements over time in reporting data processing in manuscripts published in PA-focused journals (r=0.43, p=0.002) compared to manuscripts published in non-PA-focused journals (r=0.19, p=0.021). Only 7 of 195 (4%) manuscripts reported all components of accelerometer use, and only 132 (68%) reported more than half of the components.ConclusionsAccelerometer reporting of PA in intervention studies has been poor and improved only minimally over time. We provide recommendations to improve accelerometer reporting and include a template to standardise reports.

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Use of Fitbit Devices in Physical Activity Intervention Studies across the Life Course: Narrative Review (Preprint)

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/23411 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ruth Gaelle St Fleur ◽

Sara Mijares St. George ◽

Rafael Leite ◽

Marissa Kobayashi ◽

Yaray Agosto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Life Course ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Narrative Review ◽

The Life Course

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Lessons Learned About Motivation From a Pilot Physical Activity Intervention for African American Men

Health Promotion Practice ◽

10.1177/1524839915614800 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 102-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Emily K. Cornish ◽

Sydika A. McKissic ◽

Donnatesa A. L. Dean ◽

Derek M. Griffith

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

African American ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

African American Men ◽

White Men ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Life Goals ◽

Physically Active ◽

Physical Activity Interventions ◽

Physical Activity Recommendations

African American men are less likely than White men to meet physical activity recommendations, and few physical activity interventions have focused on the unique needs of African American men. Because health is not more important to men than fulfilling the role of a provider or other socially important roles, one of the biggest challenges in creating interventions for African American men is helping them identify reasons that they should prioritize both health and life goals. In a recent pilot physical activity intervention for 30- to 70-year-old African American men, we used self-determination theory and motivational interviewing principles to create worksheets that helped men identify their core values and life goals and asked them to describe how their values and goals were related to health and physical activity. We used basic statistics and thematic analysis to identify and examine key sources of motivation for men to be healthier and more physically active. We found that being healthy, a good Christian, a good spouse/partner, disciplined, and successful were among men’s most important life goals. This article highlights a strategy for identifying key sources of motivation in African American men’s lives and key themes that can be used in to enhance future interventions.

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Lessons learned from a physical activity intervention with sedentary mid-life women

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.188 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. S78

Author(s):

F. Morris ◽

D. Marchant ◽

T. Morris

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Lessons Learned

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The Effects of Exercise on Perceived Stress and IL-6 Levels Among Older Adults

Biological Research For Nursing ◽

10.1177/1099800406295990 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 186-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Angela R. Starkweather

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Biochemical Markers ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Psychological Variables

Biochemical markers of inflammation have been used in recent physical activity intervention studies. However, these same biochemical markers, mainly proinflammatory cytokines, may also be influenced by the individual’s level of stress and mood. Accordingly, this pilot study was implemented to determine the effect of a physical activity intervention on perceived stress, mood, quality of life, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cortisol among 10 older adults, age 60 to 90. The results were compared to those of 10 older adults who were not engaging in regular physical activity. The 10-week intervention was applied using student nurses who taught the older adults how to calculate 60% of their maximum heart rate while ambulating for 30-min intervals. After the 10-week period, the participants in the exercise group reported significant improvements in stress, mood, and several quality of life indices. They also demonstrated a significant decrease in serum IL-6. Stress, mood, and quality of life scores in the exercise group were also significantly improved compared to the control group. This study adds information on the specific intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise necessary to achieve improvements in psychological variables and IL-6 levels. It also supports the need to measure psychological stress in physical activity intervention studies. Although the psychological variables were highly correlated, there were only weak correlations found with IL-6, suggesting that other factors are likely involved in reducing IL-6 when engaging in low-impact physical activity.

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