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A Persuasive mHealth Behavioral Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Employees in an office setting are more likely to remain physically inactive. Physical inactivity has become one of the major barriers to overcoming the risk factors for anxiety, depression, coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Currently, there is a gap in mobile health (mHealth) apps to promote physical activity (PA) for workers in the workplace. Studies on behavior change theories have concluded that health apps generally lack the use of theoretical constructs. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to study the feasibility of a persuasive app aimed at encouraging PA among employees and to understand the motivational aspects behind the implementation of mHealth apps among office workers. METHODS:A 4-week study using a mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) design was conducted with office-based employees in cities in 4 countries: Oulu, Finland; Carlow, Ireland; London, United Kingdom; and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Of the 220 invited participants (experimental group, n=115; control group, n=105), 84 participated (experimental group, n=56; control group, n=28), consisting of working-age volunteers working in an office setting. Participants used 2 different interventions: The experimental group used an mHealth app for PA motivation, and the control group used a paper diary. The purpose was to motivate employees to engage in healthier behavior regarding the promotion of PA in the workplace. A user-centered design process was followed to design, develop, and evaluate the mHealth app, incorporating self-determination theory (SDT) and using game elements. The paper diary had no specific theory-driven approach, design technique, nor game elements. RESULTS:Compliance with app usage remained relatively low, with 27 participants (experimental group, n=20; control group, n=7) completing the study. The results support the original hypothesis that the mHealth app would help increase PA (ie, promoting daily walking in the workplace) in comparison to a paper diary (P=.033). The mHealth app supported 2 of the basic SDT psychological needs, namely autonomy (P=.004) and competence (P=.014), but not the needs of relatedness (P=.535). CONCLUSIONS:The SDT-based mHealth application motivated employees to increase their PA in the workplace. However, compliance with app usage remained low. Future research should further develop the app based on user feedback and test it in a larger sample.

SUBMITTER: Haque MS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7235808 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Persuasive mHealth Behavioral Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Haque Md Sanaul MS Kangas Maarit M Jämsä Timo T

JMIR formative research 20200504 5

<h4>Background</h4>Employees in an office setting are more likely to remain physically inactive. Physical inactivity has become one of the major barriers to overcoming the risk factors for anxiety, depression, coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Currently, there is a gap in mobile health (mHealth) apps to promote physical activity (PA) for workers in the workplace. Studies on behavior change theories have concluded that health apps generally lack the use of theoretical ...[more]

PMID: 32364506

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Project description:BackgroundInsufficient physical activity (PA) is a well-established risk factor for several noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, depression, and dementia. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that individuals engage in 150 minutes of moderate PA per week or 75 minutes of intense PA per week. According to the WHO's latest report, 23% of adults fail to meet the minimum recommended level of PA. The percentage was even higher in a recent global study that showed 27% of adults were insufficiently active and reported a 5% increase in the prevalence trend of insufficient PA between 2001 and 2016. The study also showed the rate of insufficient PA among countries varied significantly. For instance, it was estimated that 40% were insufficiently active in the United States, and the percentage was even higher in Saudi Arabia (more than 50%). Governments are actively developing policies and methods to successfully establish a PA-inducing environment that encourages a healthy lifestyle in order to address the global steady decline in PA.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) interventions, particularly SMS text messaging interventions, to improve PA and decrease BMI in healthy adults in the workplace.MethodsIn this parallel, 2-arm randomized controlled trial, healthy adults (N=327) were randomized to receive an mHealth intervention (tailored text messages combined with self-monitoring (intervention; n=166) or no intervention (control; n=161). Adults who were fully employed in an academic institution and had limited PA during working hours were recruited for the study. Outcomes, such as PA and BMI, were assessed at baseline and 3 months later.ResultsResults showed significant improvement in PA levels (weekly step counts) in the intervention group (β=1097, 95% CI 922-1272, P<.001). There was also a significant reduction in BMI (β=0.60, 95% CI 0.50-0.69, P<.001).ConclusionsCombining tailored text messages and self-monitoring interventions to improve PA and lower BMI was significantly effective and has the potential to leverage current methods to improve wellness among the public.

Project description:BackgroundOffice work generally consists of high amounts of sedentary behaviour (SB) which has been associated with negative health consequences. We developed the "WorktivIty" mobile app to help office workers reduce their SB through self-monitoring and feedback on sedentary time, prompts to break sedentary time, and educational facts. The aim of this paper is to report the feasibility of delivering the Worktivity intervention to desk-based office workers in the workplace setting and describe methodological considerations for a future trial.MethodsWe conducted a three-arm feasibility cluster randomised controlled pilot study over an 8-week period with full time-desk based employees. Clustered randomisation was to one of three groups: Worktivity mobile app (MA; n = 20), Worktivity mobile app plus SSWD (MA+SSWD; n = 20), or Control (C; n = 16). Feasibility was assessed using measures of recruitment and retention, intervention engagement, intervention delivery, completion rates and usable data, adverse events, and acceptability.ResultsRecruitment of companies to participate in this study was challenging (8% of those contacted), but retention of individual participants within the recruited groups was high (81% C, 90% MA + SSWD, 95% MA). Office workers' engagement with the app was moderate (on average 59%). Intervention delivery was partially compromised due to diminishing user engagement and technical issues related to educational fact delivery. Sufficient amounts of useable data were collected, however either missing or unusable data were observed with activPAL™, with data loss increasing at each follow up time point. No serious adverse events were identified during the study. The majority of participants agreed that the intervention could be implemented within the workplace setting (65% MA; 72% MA + SSWD) but overall satisfaction with the intervention was modest (58% MA; 39% MA + SSWD).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that, in principle, it is feasible to implement a mobile app-based intervention in the workplace setting however the Worktivity intervention requires further technical refinements before moving to effectiveness trials. Challenges relating to the initial recruitment of workplaces and maintaining user engagement with the mHealth intervention over time need to be addressed prior to future large-scale implementation. Further research is needed to identify how best to overcome these challenges.

Project description:BackgroundA healthy diet and a sufficient amount of physical activity are important factors to reduce complications of type 2 diabetes. Diet and physical activity are associated behaviours. Individuals who are physically active have also been shown to have healthier eating habits than sedentary individuals. We aimed to evaluate the indirect effect of a smartphone-based physical activity intervention on dietary habits in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe performed analyses of secondary outcomes in a randomized controlled trial. The active intervention was use of a smartphone application to promote physical activity during 12 weeks. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and after three months using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire comprising 94 items. We analysed changes in the intake of fruit and vegetables, snacks, fibre, whole grains, vitamin C, saturated fat, unsaturated fat and total energy. We also assessed overall dietary habits using a dietary index developed by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Results were compared between the intervention and control group, as well as stratified by sex within the study groups. Paired t-tests and analysis of covariance were performed.ResultsA total of 181 patients were recruited to the DiaCert-study, whereof 146 patients had complete dietary data and were included in the analyses. Women in the intervention group had a higher fruit and vegetable intake (p = 0.008) and a higher dietary index (p = 0.007), at three-months compared to women in the control group. They had increased their daily intake of fruit and vegetables by on average 87.4 g/day (p = 0.04) and improved their dietary index by on average 0.8 points (p = 0.01) from baseline to follow-up. No effect was found in men.ConclusionsWomen, but not men, receiving a smartphone-based physical activity intervention improved their total intake of fruit and vegetables. The transfer effect, i.e. an intervention aimed at promoting one health behavior that facilitates changes in other health behaviors, may differ between the sexes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03053336; 15/02/2017.

Project description:Low childhood physical activity levels are currently one of the most pressing public health concerns. Numerous school-based physical activity interventions have been conducted with varied success. Identifying effective child-based physical activity interventions are warranted. The purpose of this formative study was to elicit subjective views of children, their parents, and teachers about physical activity to inform the design of the CHANGE! (Children's Health, Activity, and Nutrition: Get Educated!) intervention programme.Semi-structured mixed-gender interviews (group and individual) were conducted in 11 primary schools, stratified by socioeconomic status, with 60 children aged 9-10 years (24 boys, 36 girls), 33 parents (4 male, 29 female) and 10 teachers (4 male, 6 female). Questions for interviews were structured around the PRECEDE stage of the PRECEDE-PROCEDE model and addressed knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards physical activity, as well as views on barriers to participation. All data were transcribed verbatim. Pen profiles were constructed from the transcripts in a deductive manner using the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model framework. The profiles represented analysis outcomes via a diagram of key emergent themes.Analyses revealed an understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health, although some children had limited understanding of what constitutes physical activity. Views elicited by children and parents were generally consistent. Fun, enjoyment and social support were important predictors of physical activity participation, though several barriers such as lack of parental support were identified across all group interviews. The perception of family invested time was positively linked to physical activity engagement.Families have a powerful and important role in promoting health-enhancing behaviours. Involvement of parents and the whole family is a strategy that could be significant to increase children's physical activity levels. Addressing various perceived barriers to such behaviours therefore, remains imperative.ISRCTN: ISRCTN03863885.

Project description:BackgroundThere is a critical need for an intervention to improve nurses' eating and physical activity behaviours. As nurses spend a substantial proportion of their waking hours at work, concerted efforts to deliver such interventions in the workplace is growing. This study formed part of a multiphase programme of research that aimed to systematically develop an evidence-based and theory-informed workplace intervention to promote changes in eating and physical activity among nurses.MethodsThe intervention was developed iteratively, in line with Medical Research Council complex intervention guidelines. It involved four activities: (1) identifying the evidence base, (2) understanding the determinants of nurses' eating and physical activity behaviour change through theory-based qualitative interviews and survey, (3) identifying intervention options using the Behaviour Change Wheel, and (4) specifying intervention content and implementation options using a taxonomy of behaviour change techniques.ResultsData from 13 randomised controlled trials indicated that workplace-based behaviour change interventions targeted to this population are effective in changing behaviour. The evidence base was, however, limited in quantity and quality. Nurses' beliefs about important factors determining their eating and physical activity behaviour were identified across 16 qualitative interviews and 245 survey responses, and key determinants included environmental context and resources, behavioural regulation, emotion, beliefs about consequences, knowledge and optimism. Based on these findings, 22 behaviour change techniques suitable for targeting the identified determinants were identified and combined into a potential workplace intervention.ConclusionsAn evidence-based and theory-informed intervention tailored to the target population and setting has been explicitly conceptualised using a systematic approach. The proposed intervention addresses previous evidence gaps for the user population of nurses. Further to this, such an intervention, if implemented, has the potential to impact nurses' eating and physical activity behaviours and in turn, the health of nurses and the quality of healthcare delivery.

Project description:BackgroundPregnant patients with overweight or obesity are at high risk for perinatal complications. Excess gestational weight gain (GWG) further exacerbates this risk. Mobile health (mHealth) lifestyle interventions that leverage technology to facilitate self-monitoring and provide just-in-time feedback may motivate behavior change to reduce excess GWG, reduce intervention costs, and increase scalability by improving access.ObjectiveThis study aimed to test the acceptability and feasibility of a pilot mHealth lifestyle intervention for pregnant patients with overweight or obesity to promote moderate intensity physical activity (PA), encourage guideline-concordant GWG, and inform the design of a larger pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.MethodsWe conducted a mixed methods acceptability and feasibility randomized controlled trial among pregnant patients with a prepregnancy BMI of 25 to 40 kg/m2. Patients with singletons at 8 to 15 weeks of gestation who were aged ≥21 years and had Wi-Fi access were recruited via email from 2 clinics within Kaiser Permanente Northern California and randomized to receive usual prenatal care or an mHealth lifestyle intervention. Participants in the intervention arm received wireless scales, access to an intervention website, activity trackers to receive automated feedback on weight gain and activity goals, and monthly calls from a lifestyle coach. Surveys and focus groups with intervention participants assessed intervention satisfaction and ways to improve the intervention. PA outcomes were self-assessed using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, and GWG was assessed using electronic health record data for both arms.ResultsOverall, 33 patients were randomly assigned to the intervention arm, and 35 patients were randomly assigned to the usual care arm. All participants in the intervention arm weighed themselves at least once a week, compared with 20% (7/35) of the participants in the usual care arm. Participants in the intervention arm wore the activity tracker 6.4 days per week and weighed themselves 5.3 times per week, and 88% (29/33) of them rated the program "good to excellent." Focus groups found that participants desired more nutrition-related support to help them manage GWG and would have preferred an app instead of a website. Participants in the intervention arm had a 23.46 metabolic equivalent of task hours greater change in total PA per week and a 247.2-minute greater change in moderate intensity PA per week in unadjusted models, but these effects were attenuated in adjusted models (change in total PA: 15.55 metabolic equivalent of task hours per week; change in moderate intensity PA: 199.6 minutes per week). We found no difference in total GWG (mean difference 1.14 kg) compared with usual care.ConclusionsThe pilot mHealth lifestyle intervention was feasible, highly acceptable, and promoted self-monitoring. Refined interventions are needed to effectively affect PA and GWG among pregnant patients with overweight or obesity.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03936283; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03936283.

Dataset Information

A Persuasive mHealth Behavioral Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Publications

A Persuasive mHealth Behavioral Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Similar Datasets

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