Does feedback from activity trackers influence physical activity? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arie Kapteyn ◽  
Htay-Wah Saw ◽  
Jill Darling
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Medical Trial ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Tracking Devices

BACKGROUND Despite their popularity of Physical Activity (PA) tracking devices, studies rigorously examining the efficacy of wearables and feedback effect independent of other behavioral and educational interventions in promoting PA have been limited. OBJECTIVE To estimate the causal and independent effect of feedback provided by a commercial activity tracker. METHODS We designed an experimental longitudinal study in which we asked our study participants to wear: (1) a device that provided feedback for 7-consecutive days; (2) a device that provided no feedback for 7 consecutive day; (3) both devices for 2 consecutive days. We randomized half the sample to either wear the feedback device or the non-feedback device for the first 7 days. At the end of each study day, participants also completed a short survey online where they shared and reported their own experience participating in the study. RESULTS We find that participants accumulated an additional 530 steps in a given day when they wore Fitbit, which provided feedback, compared to a day when they wore GENEActiv, which didn’t provide feedback (P < .001). Given that study participants accumulated 7,560 steps/day on average, the increase in PA due to feedback represented a 7% increase in daily PA. CONCLUSIONS The use of wrist-worn PA trackers providing feedback as a standalone intervention tool is effective in increasing daily PA of older US adults aged 50 and above. Wearables-measured PA together with self-reports of PA offer the best approach to diagnosing population PA and sedentary behavior. CLINICALTRIAL Name of the registry: https://www.socialscienceregistry.org Registration number: AEARCTR-0007831 (Please note that our experiment was not a typical medical trial)

scholarly journals Effect of mindfulness on physical activity in primary healthcare patients: a randomised controlled trial pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Nymberg ◽  
Susanna Calling ◽  
Emelie Stenman ◽  
Karolina Palmér ◽  
Eva Ekvall Hansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Activity Monitor ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Registration Number

Abstract Increased physical activity can have health benefits among inactive individuals. In Sweden, the healthcare system uses physical activity on prescription (PAP) to motivate patients to increase their physical activity level. Mindfulness may further heighten the internal motivation to engage in physical activity. However, previous research has not demonstrated clear evidence of such an association. Aim Examine the feasibility of the study design as a preparation for a full-scale study, and examine the differences, between three interventions, in change over time in physical activity levels and in related variables. Method Comparison between three different interventions in an ordinary primary health care setting: PAP, mindfulness, and a combination of PAP and mindfulness. Physical activity was measured with self-report and ACTi Graph GT1X activity monitor. Statistical analysis was performed with a mixed-effect model to account for repeated observations and estimate differences both within groups and between groups at 3- and 6-months follow-up. Results Between September 2016 and December 2018, a total of 88 participants were randomised into three groups. The total dropout rate was 20.4%, the attendance rate to the mindfulness courses (52% > 6 times) and the web-based mindfulness training (8% > 800 min) was low according to the stated feasibility criteria. Eleven participants were excluded from analysis due to low activity monitor wear time. Neither the activity monitor data nor self-reported physical activity showed any significant differences between the groups. Conclusion The study design needs adjustment for the mindfulness intervention design before a fully scaled study can be conducted. A combination of PAP and mindfulness may increase physical activity and self-rated health more than PAP or mindfulness alone. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number NCT02869854. Regional Ethical Review Board in Lund registration number 2016/404.

scholarly journals The EnergyKids Pilot Study: Comparing Energy Balance of Primary School Children during School and Summer Camp

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Cinzia Franchini ◽  
Alice Rosi ◽  
Cristian Ricci ◽  
Francesca Scazzina
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Summer Camp ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Food Diary ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
School Time ◽  
Study Participants

Children’s energy requirements may vary during school and summer camp days. To evaluate energy balance during these two periods, seventy-eight children (45% females, 8–10 years) living in Parma, Italy, were enrolled in this observational study. Participants completed a 3-day food diary and wore an activity tracker for three consecutive days during a school- and a summer camp-week to estimate energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (TEE). Height and body weight were measured at the beginning of each period to define children’s weight status. BMI and EI (school: 1692 ± 265 kcal/day; summer camp: 1738 ± 262 kcal/day) were similar during both periods. Both physical activity and TEE (summer camp: 1948 ± 312; school: 1704 ± 263 kcal/day) were higher during summer camp compared to school time. Therefore, energy balance was more negative during summer camp (−209 ± 366 kcal/day) compared to school time (−12 ± 331 kcal/day). Similar results were observed when males and females were analyzed separately but, comparing the sexes, males had a higher TEE and a more negative energy balance than females, during both periods. The results strongly suggest that an accurate evaluation of children’s energy balance, that considers both diet and physical activity, is needed when planning adequate diets for different situations.

Activity Tracker for Assessing Outdoor Fitness Equipment Use

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cori Sweet ◽  
Soghra Jarvandi ◽  
Heather Sedges ◽  
Karen Franck
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Future Planning ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Equipment Usage ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Promotion Of Physical Activity ◽  
Insight Into

Outdoor fitness equipment in parks and green spaces improves access and opportunities for physical activity. Evaluating the use of this equipment is important, as data collected from such assessments can be used to guide future planning and strengthen promotion of physical activity. However, determining equipment usage can be challenging, especially when relying on surveys and in-person observational assessments, which are often time consuming and labor intensive. This project used a commercial activity tracker, the Fitbit Zip, to assess the use of the equipment at eight rural community parks and one green space where fitness equipment was placed. The tracker was placed on elliptical units and was triggered by user movement. This information provided insight into the frequency of equipment use. The objective of this article is to describe the method used and the type of data collected.

Effectiveness of wearable activity tracker to reinforce leisure time physical activity among breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunga Kong ◽  
Jae Kyung Lee ◽  
Danbee Kang ◽  
Imryung Kim ◽  
Young Mog Shim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Wearable Activity Tracker ◽  
Relative Change

BACKGROUND Physical activity during and after treatment has been identified as a potential strategy to assist women throughout their treatment, positively influence the recovery and fatigue. OBJECTIVE This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate whether wearable activity tracker (WAT) in addition to counseling would reinforce leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among patients with breast cancer in comparison with counseling only. METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted from May 2015 to December 2017 at the Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center in Seoul, South Korea. A total of 152 breast cancer patients who were age of 19-65 years, stage I-III breast cancer, and plan to undergo radiation therapy (RT) after surgery. The counseling with WAT application group (n=76) underwent physical activity (PA) self-monitoring using a Fitbit Charge with weekly counseling, and the counseling only group (n=76) received telephone counseling once a week during RT. The primary outcome was LTPA after RT; LTPA was evaluated using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire before, immediately after, and 3 and 6 months after RT. For the analysis of the primary outcome, we calculated differences between the baseline and follow-up LTPAs and divided them by the absolute value at baseline to determine the relative change. In the subgroup analysis, changes of LTPA and average daily step counts were also compared using t-test and mixed model. RESULTS The mean patient age was 47.04 years, and all baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The counseling with WAT application group had increased relative change in LTPAs (102.8) compared with the counseling only group (57.8 minute/week) immediately after RT compared with those at baseline and was more likely to maintain long-term LTPAs (6 months after counseling). In the subgroup analysis patients who did not perform regular PAs before cancer diagnosis had significantly increased step counts (steps/day) compared with those who did CONCLUSIONS This study shows the feasibility of WAT application with counseling to reinforce PA among patients with breast cancer. This intervention was more effective among the patients who did not perform regular PAs before cancer diagnosis CLINICALTRIAL KCT0001474: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=5858

scholarly journals Structured, multifactorial randomised controlled intervention to investigate physical activity levels, body composition and diet in obese and overweight adolescents

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044895
Author(s):  
Prateek Srivastav ◽  
Vaishali K ◽  
Vinod H Bhat ◽  
Suzanne Broadbent
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Family Based ◽  
Group B ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionThere has been a steep increase in the prevalence of adolescent overweight and obesity globally and in India, demonstrating that present prevention strategies are insufficient. Available evidence suggests that multifactorial interventions may improve short-term physical activity (PA), nutrition and psychological behaviour of overweight and obese adolescents but long-term follow-ups and strategies are needed. This study will investigate the effects of a structured multifactorial (school-based and family-based) intervention on adolescent obesity, compared with a single or no intervention.Methods and analysisA pragmatic, clustered randomised controlled trial with 12 weeks of interventions and 3-month, 6-month and 12-month follow-ups will be conducted at multiple participating schools in Karnataka, India. The participants will be overweight and obese male and female adolescents aged 11–16 years and will be randomly assigned by school into three groups: group A (multifactorial intervention, exercise and dietary advice); group B (exercise only); and group C (controls, no interventions). Primary outcome measures are the level of PA and body composition. Secondary outcomes are dietary change, behaviour change, food behaviours, cardiovascular and muscular fitness, quality of life, parental behaviours (physical and mental) and family functioning. Positive intervention results may reduce obesity in adolescents and promote a healthier lifestyle for students and families. A larger, culturally diverse population can benefit from a similar methodology.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee (IEC 536-2018), Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Udupi District, Karnataka, India. A written and verbal informed consent (supplemental material) will be provided to the participants prior to participation. On completion of the trial, the results can be communicated to adolescents and their parents on request, and will be published at national and international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberCTRI/2019/04/018834.

scholarly journals The Effect of Commercial Activity Tracker Based Physical Activity Intervention on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health Among Recent Retirees

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuija Leskinen ◽  
Kristin Suorsa ◽  
Ilkka HA Heinonen ◽  
Eliisa Löyttyniemi ◽  
Jaana Pentti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Activity Tracker

The REACT is a commercial activity tracker based intervention, which primarily aimed to increase physical activity. This study examines the secondary outcomes of the physical activity intervention on body composition and cardiometabolic health indicators. Overall 231 recently retired Finnish men and women [65.2 (SD 1.1) years, 83% women] took part to the study. The participants were randomized into intervention (n = 117) and control (n = 114) groups. The intervention group members used a commercial activity tracker (Polar Loop 2, Polar, Kempele, Finland) with a daily activity goal and inactivity alerts every day for 12 months. Controls received no intervention. Secondary health outcomes included body weight, fat mass, fat free mass, waist circumference, blood pressure, indicators of glucose and lipid metabolisms, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and they were measured at baseline and at 12-months end point. Hierarchical linear mixed models were used to examine the differences between the groups over time, and no differences in the mean changes of the body composition and cardiometabolic health indicators between the groups were found (group*time interaction &gt;0.20 for all measures). Fat free mass, waist circumference, blood pressure, and low density lipoprotein levels decreased in both groups over the 12 months. These findings state that 1-year daily use of commercial activity tracker does not induce different cardiometabolic health effects when compared to the non-user controls among general population of recent retirees.

scholarly journals ParticiPAte CP: a protocol of a randomised waitlist controlled trial of a motivational and behaviour change therapy intervention to increase physical activity through meaningful participation in children with cerebral palsy

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e015918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Elizabeth Reedman ◽  
Roslyn N Boyd ◽  
Catherine Elliott ◽  
Leanne Sakzewski
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Meaningful Participation ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Registration Number

IntroductionChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) participate in leisure-time physical activities (PA) less often, with less intensity and reduced diversity than their typically developing peers. Participation in leisure-time physical activities may be an important source of habitual physical activity (HPA) for children with CP, who as a group have lower levels of HPA and increased sedentary time compared with their typically developing peers. The proposed study aims to compare the efficacy of a participation focused therapy (ParticiPAte CP) to usual care in a pragmatic, randomised waitlist controlled trial.Methods and analysisThirty-six children with CP (18 in each group), classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III, aged between 8 and 12 years will be recruited across South East Queensland, Australia. Children will be randomised to receive either ParticiPAte CP or waitlist usual care using concealed allocation. ParticiPAte CP is an individually tailored, goal-directed intervention model of pragmatic participation-focused therapy using a toolbox of evidence-based strategies in the treatment of children with CP. This will include goal-setting; identification of barriers and facilitators to participation goals, strategy formation and planning and communication guided by principles of Self-Determination Theory using strategies of Motivational Interviewing. The intervention comprises 8 weekly sessions of 1 hour duration conducted by a physiotherapist in the child's home or community.Trial registration numberACTRN12615001064594.

scholarly journals Application of Activity Trackers among Nursing Home Residents—A Pilot and Feasibility Study on Physical Activity Behavior, Usage Behavior, Acceptance, Usability and Motivational Impact

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Auerswald ◽  
Jochen Meyer ◽  
Kai von Holdt ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Usage Behavior ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Activity Behavior

The aim of this study was to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior, as well as the usage behavior, usability, acceptance, and motivational impact of an applied activity tracker among nursing home residents. Physical activity and usage behavior were measured among 22 residents (68 to 102 years) by use of a commercial activity tracker worn during waking hours for 77 days on average. Usability, acceptance, and motivational impact of the tracker were examined using an adapted questionnaire. Participants walked, on average, 1007 ± 806 steps per day and spent, on average, more than 9 h (77.2% of their waking time) sedentary. The average steps/day increased significantly within the first five weeks of wearing the activity tracker. The acceptance rate was high (94.4%). The tracker was used for 65.4% of the individual study period, and usage behavior did not significantly change during the first five wearing weeks. Participants with a usage time of ≥50% walked significantly more steps per day than those with a lower usage. Overall, we were able to reveal that the residents were highly inactive and sedentary. The results support the feasibility of a long-term application of activity trackers to assess or even increase physical activity behavior.

scholarly journals Sistas Inspiring Sistas Through Activity and Support (SISTAS): Study Design and Demographics of Participants

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm Bevel ◽  
Oluwole A. Babatunde ◽  
Sue P. Heiney ◽  
Heather M. Brandt ◽  
Michael D. Wirth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
College Education ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
One Year ◽  
Study Participants

<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Recruiting racial, ethnic, and other underserved minorities into conven­tional clinic-based and other trials is known to be challenging. The Sistas Inspiring Sistas Through Activity and Support (SISTAS) Pro­gram was a one-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) to promote physical activity and healthy eating among AA women in SC to reduce inflammatory biomarkers, which are linked to increased breast cancer (BrCa) risk and mortality. This study describes the development, recruitment, and imple­mentation of the SISTAS clinical trial and provides baseline characteristics of the study participants.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>SISTAS was developed using community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches. At baseline, study participants completed assessments and underwent clinical measurements and blood draws to measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Participants randomized to the intervention received 12 weekly classes followed by nine monthly booster sessions. Post-intervention mea­surements were assessed at 12-week and 12-month follow-ups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We recruited a total of 337 women who tended to: be middle-aged (mean age 48.2 years); have some college education; be employed full-time; have Medicare as their primary insurance; be non-smokers; and perceive their personal health as good. On average, the women were pre-hyper­tensive at baseline (mean systolic blood pressure = 133.9 mm Hg; mean diastolic blood pressure = 84.0 mm Hg) and mor­bidly obese (mean BMI &gt;40.0 kg/m2); the mean fat mass and fat-free mass among participants were 106.4 lb and 121.0 lb, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The SISTAS RCT addresses some of the gaps in the literature with respect to CBPR interventions target­ing AA women, such as implementing diet and physical activity in CBPR-based studies to decrease BrCa risk.</p><p><em>Ethn Dis. </em>2018;28(2):75-84; doi:10.18865/ ed.28.2.75.</p>

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