Remote Health Coaching Text-based Walking Program in Ethnic Minority Primary Care Patients who are Overweight and Obese: A Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot (Preprint)
BACKGROUND Over half of adults in the United States have at least one chronic disease including obesity. Although physical activity is an important component of chronic disease self-management, few reach the recommended goals for physical activity. Individuals who identify as racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionally impacted by chronic diseases and physical inactivity. Interventions utilizing consumer-based wearable devices have shown promise for increasing physical activity among patients with chronic diseases; however, populations with the most to gain such as minorities, have been poorly represented to date. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of an 8-week text-based coaching and Fitbit program aimed to increase steps among a predominantly ethnic minority population with overweight and obesity. METHODS Overweight (body mass index [BMI] >25 kg/m2) patients were recruited from an internal medicine clinic located within an inner-city academic medical center to participate. Fitbit devices were provided. Using 2-way text messaging, HCs guided patients to establish weekly step goals that were Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART). Texting and Fitbit activities were managed with a custom designed application. Program feasibility was assessed via the recruitment rate, retention rate (defined as the proportion of eligible participants completing the 8-week program) and patient engagement (based on number of weekly text message goals set with the HC across the 8-week period). Acceptability was assessed through a qualitative summative evaluation. Exploratory statistical analysis included evaluating the average weekly steps in week 1 compared to week 8 using a paired t-test and modeling daily steps over time using a linear mixed model. RESULTS Thirty (91%) of the thirty-three patients initially screened were enrolled. At baseline, the average BMI was 39.3 kg/m2 (SD = 9.3 kg/m2), with 23 (73%) of the participants presenting as obese. Nine (30%) self-rated their health as either "fair" or "poor.” Twenty-two patients (87%) set up ≥6 weekly goals across the 8-week program. Twenty-eight (93%) participants completed the qualitative summative evaluation. Ten themes emerged from the evaluation: (1) patient motivation, (2) convenient texting experience, (3) social support, (4) supportive accountability, (5) technology support, (6) self-determined goals, (7) achievable goals, (8) feedback from Fitbit, and (9) challenges, and (10) habit formation. There was no significant group change in the average weekly steps for week 1 compared to week 8 (mean difference: 7.26, p=0.99). However, five participants (17.9%) had a significant increase in their daily steps. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability for a remotely delivered walking study which included a HC, text messaging, wearable device (Fitbit), and SMART goals within a ethnic minority group of patients. These preliminary results of a walking program recruiting from primary care support further development and testing in larger samples to explore the efficacy. CLINICALTRIAL n/a