scholarly journals Move-It: A Cluster-Randomised Digital Worksite Exercise Intervention in China: Outcome and Process Evaluation

Author(s):  
Holly Blake ◽  
Betsy Lai ◽  
Emil Coman ◽  
Jonathan Houdmont ◽  
Amanda Griffiths

We evaluate the outcomes and processes of a video and web-based worksite exercise intervention for sedentary office workers in China, in a 2-arm cluster-randomised wait-list control trial (n = 282: intervention (INT) n = 196 and wait-list control (WLC) n = 86). Eligible clusters were two sites of a major organisation in China randomly allocated to each group (INT: Guangzhou; WLC: Beijing); eligible participants were site employees (n = 690). A theoretically informed digital workplace intervention (Move-It) involving a 10 min Qigong exercise session (video demonstration via website) was delivered twice a day at set break times during the working day for 12 consecutive weeks. Individual-level outcomes were assessed. Participants’ physical activity increased significantly from baseline to post-intervention similarly in both the intervention and the control group. There was a significantly smaller increase in weekday sitting hours in intervention than controls (by 4.66 h/week), and work performance increased only in the control group. Process evaluation (including six focus groups) was conducted using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance) framework. The intervention had wide reach and was successfully marketed to all employees with good uptake. The participatory approach increased perceived organisational support and enhanced adoption. The intervention was implemented broadly as planned. Qigong worksite exercise intervention can be successfully delivered to sedentary office workers in China using video and web-based platforms. It may increase physical activity and does not adversely affect perceived work performance. The study highlights the complexity of conducting health promotion research in real-world organisational settings.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tobias Ochmann ◽  
Keito F A Philippi ◽  
Peter Zeier ◽  
Magdalena Sandner ◽  
Barlo Hillen ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Physical activity ameliorates chronic stress. Latest research suggests a relation between resilience and physical fitness. Beneficial adaptations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the sympathetic nervous system, the endocannabinoid system, and the tryptophan pathway, induced by an active lifestyle, are considered to be resilience conducive. However, detailed knowledge on the molecular link between the effects of acute and chronic physical exercise and an improved resilience is missing. OBJECTIVE Therefore, we implement a human exercise intervention trial addressing the main hypotheses: (1) web-based exercise training improves aerobic capacity of physically inactive adults, which (2) is accompanied by improved resilience. In this setting, we will analyze the relation of resilience parameters with innate and acquired aerobic capacity as well as circulating signaling molecules. METHODS 70 healthy physically inactive (<150min/week physical activity) adults (18-45y) will be randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group receive weekly training utilizing progressive endurance and interval running individually adapted to their training performance via web-based physician support. A standardized incremental treadmill exercise test is performed before and after the intervention period of eight weeks to determine innate and acquired aerobic capacity. Before and after the intervention psychological tests and questionnaires that characterize parameters implicated in resilience (including impulse control, working memory, stress coping, emotion regulation) will be applied. Blood, and saliva will be sampled for analysis of lactate, cortisol, endocannabinoids, catecholamines, kynurenic acid, cell-free DNA and further circulating signal transducers. Statistical analysis will provide comprehensive knowledge on the relation of aerobic capacity and resilience, and furthermore, the capacity of peripheral factors to mediate the promoting effects of exercise on resilience. RESULTS The study was registered in October 2019. Enrollment began in September 2019. Out of 161 subjects, who were initially screened via telefon survey, 43 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. Among the 17 participants in the intervention group, and 14 participants in the control group, who completed the study (total 31), no serious adverse event has been reported. Four participants withdrew during the programm (individual reasons), and 8 participants have not yet completed or begun the program due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Enrollment and data analysis are ongoing, and results are expected to be submitted for publication in October 2021. CONCLUSIONS Our study aims to demonstrate that an increase in physical activity with a simultaneous improvement in aerobic capacity is associated with an increase in resilience. This study design allows to investigate the effect of an active lifestyle on circulating molecular marker levels and their relationship to resilience factors. This will offer novel approaches for the diagnosis of depression and the therapy by exercise prescription. CLINICALTRIAL DRKS00018078, registered October 02, 2019, German Clinical Trials Register. Retrospectively registered: First participant September 10, 2019.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S852-S852
Author(s):  
Chien-Ning Tseng

Abstract This study evaluated the effectiveness of a combined cognitive training (CT) and physical activity (PA) intervention in improving cognitive function for institutionalized older residents with cognitive impairment. An experimental design with pre/post-test evaluations in a double-blind assessments at three points (baseline, T0; post-treatment, T1; 8-weeks-follow-up, T2), conducted an 8-week-CTPA intervention. Participants (N=134) were recruited from 12 institutions. Centers were randomly assigned into wait-list control, treatment I or treatment II groups. Treatment I group (low frequency) underwent combined 30-minutes sessions of individual-non-computer-based multi-domain CT (twice a week) with 30-minutes-group-chair-based PA (3 times a week). Treatment II group underwent the same protocol as Treatment I group, but with high frequency, 5 days per week for both CT and PA. The primary outcome, Cognitive Assessment Screening Instrument(CASI) total scores showed significant improvement in the treatment I and treatment II groups at T1-T0 and T2-T0, compared to the wait-list control group(10.55±9.60, 12.75±11.64, -8.01±6.61, p=0.000; 8.32±7.81, 11.75±10.19, -7.11±5.78, p=0.000), however there were no significant differences between two treatment groups. In CASI’s nine sub-domains, all the mean difference between groups were also significant at T1-T0 and T2-T0 (all p&lt;0.05). The two treatment groups only significantly differ on CASI-ORIENT domain at T2-T0 (p=0.02). The findings revealed that a combined CT-and-PA intervention have positive immediate (T1-T0) and delayed (T2-T0) effects in cognitive function for older institutional residents with cognition-impairment. The two treatment groups did not show dose-response relationship. Even more, the low frequency intervention was more effective on several domains than high frequency intervention did.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Emma S. Cowley ◽  
Paula M. Watson ◽  
Lawrence Foweather ◽  
Sarahjane Belton ◽  
Chiara Mansfield ◽  
...  

Background. This is a formative evaluation study of the HERizon Project, a home-based multi-component physical activity (PA) intervention for adolescent girls in the UK and Ireland. Although not intended, this study coincided with the initial COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Methods. A total of 42 female participants, aged 13 to 16 years old (mean = 14.2, SD = 1.1), were randomly allocated to: (i) the HERizon group (n = 22) or (ii) the wait-list control group (n = 20). Participants in the six-week HERizon group were asked to complete three PA sessions each week and engage in weekly behaviour change support video calls. The primary outcome measure was self-reported habitual PA. Secondary outcomes measures included cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle run), muscular strength (standing long jump), muscular endurance (push up test), and psychosocial outcomes (Perceived Competence Scale, Body Appreciation Scale, Self-Esteem Questionnaire, Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire). Quantitative and qualitative process evaluation data were also collected. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after the six-week intervention. Results. There was no significant change in habitual PA between groups (LMM group*time interaction: p = 0.767). The HERizon group had significantly increased cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.001), muscular endurance (p = 0.022), intrinsic motivation (p = 0.037), and body appreciation (p < 0.003) in comparison to the wait-list control group. All participants in the intervention group completed the intervention and compliance to the intervention was high (participants completed 18 ± 2 sessions). Conclusions. Although no change in PA was observed, HERizon resulted in improved physical fitness and psychosocial outcomes. These preliminary findings, alongside positive findings for feasibility and acceptability, highlight potential benefits from the home-based intervention, thus further investigation is warranted.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e046216
Author(s):  
Laura García-Garcés ◽  
Sergio Lacamara Cano ◽  
Yago Cebolla Meliá ◽  
María I Sánchez-López ◽  
David Marqués Azcona ◽  
...  

IntroductionNumerous studies support the practice of different physical exercise modalities as an effective treatment to address the problems associated with schizophrenia, reporting that they result in improvements in patient symptoms and quality of life. Given the lack of studies comparing different types of training in controlled environments, the aim of this proposed study will be to compare the effects of three physical exercise programmes (strength, aerobic and mixed) on the symptoms, body composition, level of physical activity and health-related quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.Methods and analysisA multicentre, single-blinded (evaluator), randomised, wait-list controlled (ratio 2:2:2:1) trial will be conducted with 105 patients recruited from different psychosocial care centres. The participants will be randomised into three 16-week training groups comprising 48 sessions lasting 1 hour each, or to the wait-list control group. The training groups will complete aerobic, strength or mixed (aerobic+strength) training. The participants will be assessed before, immediately after and 6 months after the end of the intervention. The patients in the wait-list control group (n=15) will receive one of the three trainings immediately after the intervention. The study variables will include positive, negative and general symptomology (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) as the primary outcome; as secondary outcome: body composition (by assessing body mass index, body fat mass and waist circumference), physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form) and quality of life (abbreviated WHO Quality of Life questionnaire).Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the ethics committees for Biomedical Research at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University of Valencia, Spain (CEI18/215). Participants will be fully informed of the purpose and procedures of the study, and written informed consent will be obtained. The results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented in scientific conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04987151.


Author(s):  
Nicola D. Ridgers ◽  
Anna Timperio ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
Samuel K. Lai ◽  
Helen Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There has been increasing interest in using wearable activity trackers to promote physical activity in youth. This study examined the short- and longer-term effects of a wearable activity tracker combined with digital behaviour change resources on the physical activity of adolescents attending schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Methods The Raising Awareness of Physical Activity (RAW-PA) Study was a 12-week, multicomponent intervention that combined a Fitbit Flex (and accompanying app), and online digital behaviour change resources and weekly challenges delivered via Facebook. RAW-PA was evaluated using a cluster-randomised controlled trial with 275 adolescents (50.2% female; 13.7 ± 0.4 years) from 18 Melbourne secondary schools (intervention n = 9; wait-list control group n = 9). The primary outcome was moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), measured using hip-worn ActiGraph accelerometers. The secondary outcome was self-reported physical activity. Data were collected at baseline, 12-weeks (immediately post-intervention), and 6-months post-intervention (follow-up). Multilevel models were used to determine the effects of the intervention on daily MVPA over time, adjusting for covariates. Results No significant differences were observed between intervention and wait-list control adolescents’ device-assessed MVPA immediately post-intervention. At 6-months post-intervention, adolescents in the intervention group engaged in 5 min (95% CI: − 9.1 to − 1.0) less MVPA per day than those in the wait-list control group. Males in the intervention group engaged in 11 min (95% CI: − 17.6 to − 4.5) less MVPA than males in the wait-list control group at 6-months post-intervention. No significant differences were observed for females at either time point. For self-reported physical activity, no significant effects were found at 12-weeks and 6-months post-intervention. Conclusions Combining a wearable activity tracker with digital behaviour change resources and weekly challenges did not increase inactive adolescents’ accelerometer-derived and self-reported physical activity levels immediately post-intervention. This contrasts previous research that has suggested wearable activity tracker may increase youth physical activity levels in the short-term. Lower engagement in MVPA 6-months post-intervention was observed for males but not for females, though it is unclear why this finding was observed. The results suggest wearable activity trackers, in combination with supporting materials, may not be effective for increasing physical activity levels in adolescents. Trial registration ACTRN12616000899448. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Registered 7 July 2016.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam T Ashford ◽  
Ellinor K Olander ◽  
Heather Rowe ◽  
Jane RW Fisher ◽  
Susan Ayers

Background Postpartum anxiety can have adverse effects on the mother and child if left untreated. Time constraints and stigma are common barriers to postpartum treatment. Web-based treatments offer potential flexibility and anonymity. What Am I Worried About (WaWa) is a self-guided treatment based on cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness principles for women experiencing postpartum anxiety. WaWa was developed in Australia and consists of 9 modules with optional weekly telephone support. WaWa was adapted to a Web-based version for use in England (Internet-based What Am I Worried About, iWaWa). Objective This study aimed to investigate the feasibility (engagement and usability) and acceptability (usefulness, satisfaction, and helpfulness) of iWaWa among English postpartum women with anxiety. Methods Postpartum (<12 months) women with mild-to-severe anxiety were recruited anonymously via social media during an 8-week period. Participants were randomized to the iWaWa treatment (8 weeks) or wait-list control group. Treatment and study feasibility and acceptability were assessed after the treatment, and anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks postrandomization, and 12 weeks postrandomization (treatment group only) using Web-based questionnaires. Semistructured telephone interviews were carried out after the treatment period for a more in-depth exploration of treatment acceptability and feasibility. Results A total of 89 eligible women were recruited through social media and randomized into the treatment (n=46) or wait-list control group (n=43). Women were predominantly Caucasian, well-educated, married, on maternity leave, first-time mothers and reported moderate levels of anxiety. Dropout rates were high, especially in the treatment group (treatment: 82%, 38/46; wait-list control: 51%, 22/43). A total of 26 women started iWaWa with only 2 women completing all 9 modules. Quantitative and qualitative data suggest iWaWa was experienced as generally useful and helpful. Participants enjoyed iWaWa’s accessibility, anonymity, and weekly reminders, as well as the introduction to the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. However, iWaWa was also experienced as not user-friendly enough, too long, and not smartphone-friendly. Parts of the content were experienced as not always relevant and appropriate. Participants felt that iWaWa could be improved by having it in a smartphone app format and by making the content more concise and inclusive of different parenting styles. Conclusions Despite interest in iWaWa, the results suggest that both the study and iWaWa were not feasible in the current format. However, this first trial provides useful evidence about treatment format and content preferences that can inform iWaWa’s future development, as well as research and development of Web-based postpartum anxiety treatments, in general, to optimize adherence. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02434406; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02434406 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xTq7Bwmd)


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam T Ashford ◽  
Ellinor K Olander ◽  
Heather Rowe ◽  
Jane RW Fisher ◽  
Susan Ayers

BACKGROUND Postpartum anxiety can have adverse effects on the mother and child if left untreated. Time constraints and stigma are common barriers to postpartum treatment. Web-based treatments offer potential flexibility and anonymity. What Am I Worried About (WaWa) is a self-guided treatment based on cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness principles for women experiencing postpartum anxiety. WaWa was developed in Australia and consists of 9 modules with optional weekly telephone support. WaWa was adapted to a Web-based version for use in England (Internet-based What Am I Worried About, iWaWa). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the feasibility (engagement and usability) and acceptability (usefulness, satisfaction, and helpfulness) of iWaWa among English postpartum women with anxiety. METHODS Postpartum (<12 months) women with mild-to-severe anxiety were recruited anonymously via social media during an 8-week period. Participants were randomized to the iWaWa treatment (8 weeks) or wait-list control group. Treatment and study feasibility and acceptability were assessed after the treatment, and anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks postrandomization, and 12 weeks postrandomization (treatment group only) using Web-based questionnaires. Semistructured telephone interviews were carried out after the treatment period for a more in-depth exploration of treatment acceptability and feasibility. RESULTS A total of 89 eligible women were recruited through social media and randomized into the treatment (n=46) or wait-list control group (n=43). Women were predominantly Caucasian, well-educated, married, on maternity leave, first-time mothers and reported moderate levels of anxiety. Dropout rates were high, especially in the treatment group (treatment: 82%, 38/46; wait-list control: 51%, 22/43). A total of 26 women started iWaWa with only 2 women completing all 9 modules. Quantitative and qualitative data suggest iWaWa was experienced as generally useful and helpful. Participants enjoyed iWaWa’s accessibility, anonymity, and weekly reminders, as well as the introduction to the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. However, iWaWa was also experienced as not user-friendly enough, too long, and not smartphone-friendly. Parts of the content were experienced as not always relevant and appropriate. Participants felt that iWaWa could be improved by having it in a smartphone app format and by making the content more concise and inclusive of different parenting styles. CONCLUSIONS Despite interest in iWaWa, the results suggest that both the study and iWaWa were not feasible in the current format. However, this first trial provides useful evidence about treatment format and content preferences that can inform iWaWa’s future development, as well as research and development of Web-based postpartum anxiety treatments, in general, to optimize adherence. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02434406; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02434406 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xTq7Bwmd)


2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110037
Author(s):  
Alison E. Parker ◽  
Tracy M. Scull ◽  
Abigail M. Morrison

Pediatric clinical trials allow for the testing of appropriate and effective treatments for children. However, some challenges exist with recruitment. This study examined the effectiveness of DigiKnowIt News, an interactive, multimedia website (which includes activities, videos, and comic books) designed to educate children about clinical trials. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 with 91 participants ( M age = 10.92 years; SD = 2.06). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or wait-list control groups and completed questionnaires at pretest and posttest (1 week later) about their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs about clinical trials, and self-efficacy for participating in clinical trials. Participants in the intervention group received access to DigiKnowIt News between pretest and posttest and completed a satisfaction questionnaire at posttest. At the end of the study, participants in the wait-list control group were offered the option to use the website and complete a satisfaction questionnaire. At posttest, participants in the intervention group, compared to participants in the wait-list control group, had more knowledge about clinical trials and more reported confidence for participating in clinical trials. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with DigiKnowIt News. The findings suggest that an educational website can improve factors related to increasing rates of participation in clinical trials.


Author(s):  
Russell Jago ◽  
Byron Tibbitts ◽  
Kathryn Willis ◽  
Emily Sanderson ◽  
Rebecca Kandiyali ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical activity is associated with improved health. Girls are less active than boys. Pilot work showed that a peer-led physical activity intervention called PLAN-A was a promising method of increasing physical activity in secondary school age girls. This study examined the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the PLAN-A intervention. Methods We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial with Year 9 (13–14 year old) girls recruited from 20 secondary schools. Schools were randomly assigned to the PLAN-A intervention or a non-intervention control group after baseline data collection. Girls nominated students to be peer leaders. The top 18 % of girls nominated by their peers in intervention schools received three days of training designed to prepare them to support physical activity. Data were collected at two time points, baseline (T0) and 5–6 months post-intervention (T1). Participants wore an accelerometer for seven days to assess the primary outcome of mean weekday minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Multivariable mixed effects linear regression was used to estimate differences in the primary outcome between the two arms on an Intention-to-Treat (ITT) basis. Resource use and quality of life were measured and a within trial economic evaluation from a public sector perspective was conducted. Results A total of 1558 girls were recruited to the study. At T0, girls in both arms engaged in an average of 51 min of MVPA per weekday. The adjusted mean difference in weekday MVPA at T1 was − 2.84 min per day (95 % CI = -5.94 to 0.25) indicating a slightly larger decline in weekday MVPA in the intervention group. Results were broadly consistent when repeated using a multiple imputation approach and for pre-specified secondary outcomes and sub-groups. The mean cost of the PLAN-A intervention was £2817 per school, equivalent to £31 per girl. Economic analyses indicated that PLAN-A did not lead to demonstrable cost-effectiveness in terms of cost per unit change in QALY. Conclusions This study has shown that the PLAN-A intervention did not result in higher levels of weekday MVPA or associated secondary outcomes among Year 9 girls. The PLAN-A intervention should not be disseminated as a public health strategy. Trial registration ISRCTN14539759–31 May, 2018.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine N Williams ◽  
Carissa K Coleman ◽  
Yelena Perkhounkova ◽  
Tim Beachy ◽  
Maria Hein ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objectives Staff-resident communication is a critical part of nursing home (NH) care. Reducing elderspeak and increasing person-centered communication has been shown to reduce behavioral symptoms experienced by persons living with dementia. An online version of a successful classroom-based communication-training program that reduced staff elderspeak and resident behavioral symptoms was evaluated. The objective of this study was to establish feasibility and determine the preliminary effects of the online program in preparation for a national pragmatic clinical trial. Research Design and Methods Seven NHs were randomized to immediate intervention or wait-list control conditions. The NHs were provided with the web-based training program that staff individually accessed. Primary outcomes were knowledge scores and communication ratings of a video-recorded interaction, using pre- to post-training comparisons. Results Knowledge increased from a mean pretest score of 61.9% (SD=20.0) to a mean posttest score of 84.6% (SD=13.5) for the combined group. Knowledge significantly improved between Time 1 and Time 2 for the immediate intervention participants (p&lt;.001), but not for the wait-list control participants (p=.091), and this difference was statistically significant (p&lt;.001). Ability to recognize ineffective, inappropriate, non-person-centered, and elderspeak communication improved after training (p&lt;.001). The magnitude of improvement in communication recognition was comparable to that of the original classroom format. Discussion and Implications The adapted communication intervention was feasible and improved knowledge and communication. Online instruction can improve access to quality education and is an effective means to improve dementia care by overcoming barriers to in-person training.


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