A Smartphone App to Improve Physical Activity

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Sedentary Lifestyle
• Interventions: Other: Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App; Other: On Your Feet; Other: Coach Me; Other: Proof Positive

• Registration Number: NCT03417440
• Lead Sponsor: University of Southern California

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to develop, test, and optimize a physical activity (PA)-tracking smartphone app and specialty features, which are designed to facilitate older adults' PA by targeting common barriers in this population. For example, one feature sends messages throughout the day about the good things about growing older to combat negative views about aging which has been linked to decreased PA. Participants will include older adult smartphone users who are between the ages of 65 and 84 and are not very physically active. In phase one of the study, three groups of five older adults will be formed to test the PA-tracking app and one of three specialty features for a two-week period, followed by a focus group to learn about the older adults' experiences. In phase two, approximately 100 participants will be randomly assigned to one of eight groups that include various combinations of specialty features with the PA tracker, for the purpose of pilot testing the app for a four-month period. Testing will occur at the beginning and the end of the four-month intervention period, and will measure PA levels, sedentary activity time, self-reported PA, and functional mobility.

Detailed Description

In this study, we will optimize a set of tailored specialty app features designed to be paired with a physical activity (PA)-tracking app to boost older adults' PA. This package, termed the MovingUp suite, is distinct from generic fitness apps because it blends a set of specialized components that reflect empirically supported constructs from social cognitive and stereotype embodiment theory with evidence-based behavior change techniques (e.g., self-regulation) foundational to basic activity monitoring. Specialty features include: (a) explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views; (b) sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions; and (c) tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers. We will utilize a highly efficient, innovative methodological approach-Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST)-to provide an experimental context for evaluating the viability of each MovingUp specialty feature.

Aim 1: Assess the feasibility and acceptability of the three MovingUp specialty features. We will first examine MovingUp's feasibility and acceptability in three groups of five older adults (aged 65-84 years). A basic PA-tracking app plus one of three specialty features will be introduced-a different feature per group-at an orientation session. Groups will then test their assigned specialty feature with the PA tracker for two weeks. This step will involve real-time user data collection, check-ins via phone, and follow-up focus groups. Feasibility and acceptability will be determined by analyzing participants' usage patterns, evaluations of MovingUp features (based on a health technology usability scale and focus group interviews), and self-reported facilitators and barriers to successful app use. Our team will review the data and integrate changes as needed, producing an upgraded prototype to be assessed in Aim 2.

Aim 2: Conduct a pilot test to examine performance characteristics and PA-relevant outcomes of MovingUp's specialty features. Aim 2 includes the MOST Screening Phase: theory-guided experimentation to identify viable components within a multifaceted preliminary intervention plan. Using a factorial design as specified in MOST procedures, 100 underactive older adults (i.e., accumulating \<150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week) will be randomly assigned to one of eight conditions which reflect all possible combinations of presence vs. absence of the three respective specialty features, given usage of a PA tracker app. At the end of a four-month intervention period, for each specialty feature we will examine changes from baseline in PA-related outcomes including: objective PA (primary outcome), sedentary activity time, self-reported PA, and functional mobility. We will also examine the app components' relationships to theoretically postulated mediating constructs (self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectation, social support, aging self-perception, and views of aging). In addition, we will document usage rate, sustained usage, and perceived usefulness for achieving PA goals for each suite component.

Aim 3: Synthesize information from Aim 2 to design an optimized MovingUp suite to be evaluated in a future RCT. Our study team will interpret and synthesize the array of resulting data to derive an optimized MovingUp suite. A set of pre-specified criteria will be used to guide selection of components in the optimized app. Using preliminary efficacy data, the stage will be set for a fully powered RCT of MovingUp's beneficial effects in comparison to alternate technologies such as web-based or mHealth solutions.

This project will help establish a methodological foundation for future attempts to enhance PA apps via the addition of theoretically based component features. Moreover, it will provide insights into the theoretical underpinnings of successful PA interventions for older adults, leading to information that transcends any single technology-based solution.

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design
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Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-01-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-01-24
• Study First Posted: 2018-01-31
• Study Start: 2018-04-23
• Primary Completion: 2021-01-12
• Study Completion: 2021-01-12
• Results First Submitted: 2022-06-07
• Status Verified: 2022-10
• Results First Submitted QC: 2022-10-27
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-10-27
• Results First Posted: 2022-11-21
• Last Update Posted: 2022-11-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 111

Inclusion Criteria

• 65-84 years old
• English speaking
• reside in Los Angeles
• score ≥5 on a 6-item cognitive screener
• report <150 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA/week as per a single-item screener
• ambulatory
• able to safely participate in physical activity as determined by the Revised Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (rPARQ) or proof of medical clearance from a physician
• smartphone owner for ≥3 months
• observed ability to reliably access and operate a smartphone during orientation.

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Exclusion Criteria

• ≥85 years old, based on limited smartphone ownership and to reduce sample variability

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
PA App + Coach Me	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following feature: (1) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers).
PA App+ On Your Feet+ CoachMe+ Proof Pos	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 3 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); (2) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers); and (3) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + On Your Feet + Coach Me	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); and (2) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers).
PA App+ On Your Feet+ CoachMe+ Proof Pos	On Your Feet	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 3 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); (2) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers); and (3) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App+ On Your Feet+ CoachMe+ Proof Pos	Proof Positive	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 3 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); (2) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers); and (3) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + On Your Feet	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following feature: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions).
PA App + On Your Feet	On Your Feet	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following feature: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions).
PA App + Coach Me + Proof Positive	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers); and (2) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + Coach Me + Proof Positive	Coach Me	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers); and (2) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + Proof Positive	Proof Positive	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following feature: (1) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + Coach Me + Proof Positive	Proof Positive	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers); and (2) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App+ On Your Feet+ CoachMe+ Proof Pos	Coach Me	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 3 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); (2) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers); and (3) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + On Your Feet + Proof Positive	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); and (2) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + On Your Feet + Proof Positive	Proof Positive	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); and (2) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + On Your Feet + Coach Me	On Your Feet	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); and (2) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers).
PA App + On Your Feet + Coach Me	Coach Me	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); and (2) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers).
PA App + On Your Feet + Proof Positive	On Your Feet	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following 2 features: (1) "On Your Feet" (sedentary activity monitoring with motivational messaging and peer suggestions); and (2) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App + Proof Positive	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following feature: (1) "Proof Positive" (explicit and implicit messaging to promote positive aging views).
PA App	Physical Activity (PA) Tracker App	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app without any additional features.
PA App + Coach Me	Coach Me	Participants in this arm will use a basic physical activity (PA) tracker app in conjunction with the following feature: (1) "Coach Me" (tailored messaging to increase the intensity level of everyday activities and overcome barriers).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Daily Steps Change From Baseline to Month 4; Main Effect, and 2- and 3-way Interactions	72-hour monitoring periods at Month 4 relative to baseline	Step counts (objective physical activity) were measured using the activPAL thigh-worn accelerometer during a 72-hour monitoring period.; Estimated average change is computed as the change in activPAL-tracked mean daily steps at Month 4 relative to baseline; this outcome is analyzed in a linear regression analysis model. All randomized participants who started the intervention and had valid activity monitor data were utilized in the model (ITT analysis)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Family Social Support for Physical Activity (Health Beliefs Survey Physical Activity Portion) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	The potential mediators of physical activity self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectation, and social support will each be measured separately using subscales of the 78-item physical activity portion of the Health Beliefs Survey. Subscales demonstrate sufficient internal consistencies (Cronbach's α=0.68-0.90) and are predictive of physical activity. Higher scores indicate greater family social support for physical activity. Possible scores for the family social support subscale range from 1 - 5.
Views of Aging--Psychosocial Loss (Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	Views of aging will be measured using the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire. This 24-item assessment identifies subjective views about age-related changes in multiple domains, is cross-culturally valid, and is psychometrically sound (Cronbach's α=0.68-0.84). Its subscales include psychosocial loss, physical change, and psychological growth. A higher score for psychosocial loss indicates more negative attitude (min 8; max 40).
Views of Aging--Physical Change (Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	Views of aging will be measured using the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire. This 24-item assessment identifies subjective views about age-related changes in multiple domains, is cross-culturally valid, and is psychometrically sound (Cronbach's α=0.68-0.84). Its subscales include psychosocial loss, physical change, and psychological growth. A higher score on physical change indicates more positive attitude (min 8; max 40)
Daily Sitting Time (activPAL) Change From Baseline to Month 4	72-hour monitoring periods at Month 4 relative to baseline	Objective sedentary activity time was measured using the activPAL thigh-worn accelerometer during a 72-hour monitoring period. Expressed as average minutes/day.
Gait Speed (4-m Walk Test) Change From Baseline to Month 4	baseline and 4 months	Functional mobility will be assessed through a four-meter walk test, a commonly used, validated measure of physical and functional performance in older adults.
Aging Self-perceptions (Attitudes Toward Own Aging) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	Aging self-perceptions will be assessed by the Attitudes Toward Own Aging subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatrics Center Morale Scale. This five-question tool captures the subjective aging experience, shows moderate internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.61-0.64), and predicts mortality risk. Scores can range from 0 to 5. A higher score indicates more positive aging self-perceptions.
Self-reported Physical Activity (PASE) Change From Baseline to Month 4	baseline and 4 months	Self-reported physical activity will be measured via the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). PASE is a ten-item instrument designed to assess engagement in physical activities commonly pursued by older adults, including those related to leisure, household, and occupational tasks. The tool is a valid and reliable measure of physical activity engagement in the older adult population. Scores range from 0 to 361. Higher scores indicate a higher level of activity.
Self-regulation of Physical Activity (Health Beliefs Survey Physical Activity Portion) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	The potential mediators of physical activity self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectation, and social support will each be measured separately using subscales of the 78-item physical activity portion of the Health Beliefs Survey. Subscales demonstrate sufficient internal consistencies (Cronbach's α=0.68-0.90) and are predictive of physical activity. Higher scores indicate greater self-regulation behaviors. Possible scores for the self-regulation subscale range from 1-5.
App Usage Behavior	from baseline through Month 4 (daily)	Usage behavior is defined as the proportion of days the app was opened across the 4-month trial period
Self-efficacy for Physical Activity (Health Beliefs Survey) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	The potential mediators of physical activity self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectation, and social support will each be measured separately using subscales of the 78-item physical activity portion of the Health Beliefs Survey. Subscales demonstrate sufficient internal consistencies (Cronbach's α=0.68-0.90) and are predictive of physical activity. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy. Possible scores for the self-efficacy subscale range from 0-100.
Views of Aging--Psychological Growth (Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	Views of aging will be measured using the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire. This 24-item assessment identifies subjective views about age-related changes in multiple domains, is cross-culturally valid, and is psychometrically sound (Cronbach's α=0.68-0.84). Its subscales include psychosocial loss, physical change, and psychological growth. A higher score on psychological growth indicates more positive attitude (min 8; max 40).
Outcome Expectation for Physical Activity (Health Beliefs Survey Physical Activity Portion) Change From Baseline	baseline and 4 months	The potential mediators of physical activity self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectation, and social support will each be measured separately using subscales of the 78-item physical activity portion of the Health Beliefs Survey. Subscales demonstrate sufficient internal consistencies (Cronbach's α=0.68-0.90) and are predictive of physical activity. Higher scores indicate greater outcome expectations. Possible scores for the outcome expectation subscale range from 1-25
Perceived App Quality (uMARS)	4 months	The Mobile App Rating Scale User Version (uMARS) was used to measure user satisfaction with the app, particularly participant's ratings for app quality. The uMARS includes a usability feedback subindex which is comprised of the average of item responses for 4 subsections (engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information), to yield a total quality score. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (low perceived quality, min) to 5 (high perceived quality, max).

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing; 🇺🇸 Glendale, California, United States

University of Southern California; 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United States