Computer Agents to Promote Walking in Older Adults With Low Health Literacy
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Aging
- Sponsor
- Boston Medical Center
- Enrollment
- 263
- Primary Endpoint
- Increase in physical activity (measured as step counts from pedometer)
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 2 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This proposal is a randomized control trial using innovative interactive health technologies to promote and sustain walking behavior among elderly patients. The technology uses an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA), a computer character that simulates face-to-face conversation. The trial will be block randomized by literacy status and include an intensive two-month, daily contact intervention via a Tablet PC ECA in the subject's home, an automated telephone program, and then an in-clinic, kiosk-based ECA for an additional 10 months, to promote maintenance of walking behavior. The study will occur in 2 phases, a pilot phase in which 20 subjects will be enrolled for the purpose of pre- testing the intervention and all data collection instruments, and a main study phase in which an additional 264 subjects will be enrolled.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •65 years old or greater
- •English-speaking
- •Actively being cared for by a primary care provider at Boston Medical Center
Exclusion Criteria
- •Non-ambulatory
- •Any medical condition or disorder that would limit participation in moderate intensity physical activity (such as sustained walking), including life-threatening disorders, myocardial ischemia, complex cardiac arrhythmias or significant left ventricular dysfunction, and major functional disabilities relating to gait or balance
- •Medications that would compromise patient's ability to participate
- •Had more than 2 falls in the past year (i.e. fall risk)
- •Moderate to severe dementia
- •Severe depression
- •Currently exercising, i.e., engaged regularly in moderate-intensity or more vigorous physical activity 3 or more days per week for at least 20 minutes per day
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Increase in physical activity (measured as step counts from pedometer)
Time Frame: 1 year