The Effect of a Web-Based Behavioral Intervention on Physical Activity Levels in Adolescents

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Health Behavior; Adolescent Behavior; Motivation
• Interventions: Behavioral: Zamzee Intervention

• Registration Number: NCT01433679
• Lead Sponsor: HopeLab Foundation

Brief Summary

The primary purpose of this study is to test whether rewarding physical activity with a motivational website will increase physical activity levels in middle school-aged children over six months. As a secondary outcome, the study also tests the intervention's impact on biological measures of inflammation and metabolic function in a sub-set of study participants who agree to provide blood samples.

Detailed Description

Physical activity is associated with a variety of positive health outcomes, as well as improved metabolic profiles and reduced inflammation. However, levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) diminish dramatically as children move into the middle school years. To address this problem, this study tests a behavioral intervention, called "Zamzee," designed to motivate middle school-aged children to increase their levels of MVPA. The Zamzee intervention consists of a 3-axis accelerometer that tracks individual physical activity rates over time and a website that displays individual physical activity rates and provides rewards for maintaining or improving physical activity rates. The primary aim of this randomized, controlled trial is to test whether middle school-aged children randomly assigned to the Zamzee intervention will show significantly greater levels of physical activity levels over six months, compared with control group participants who wear the accelerometer but have no access to the rewards website. A secondary aim is to test the intervention's impact on biological parameters that may contribute to the long-term health effects of inactivity (including C-reactive protein as a measure of inflammation, and hemoglobin-A1C as a measure of metabolic status) in a sub-set of study participants who agree to provide blood samples.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-09
• Study First Submitted: 2011-09-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-09-12
• Study First Posted: 2011-09-14
• Status Verified: 2012-07
• Primary Completion: 2012-07
• Study Completion: 2012-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-07-12
• Last Update Posted: 2012-07-16

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 448

Inclusion Criteria

• Middle-school-aged students aged 11 to 14

Exclusion Criteria

• Previously participation in a Zamzee pilot study
• Existing medical conditions or health complications that will interfere with the ability to be physically active
• Inability to read and write English

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Website intervention	Zamzee Intervention	Participants randomly assigned to the Website Intervention arm receive access to the motivational rewards website. The website displays the individual's physical activity data and allocates reward points based on the amount and intensity of physical activity. The website also allows reward points to be redeemed for various rewards such as gift cards to retail outlets, donations to charities, small tangible goods, and customization of participants' cartoon-like avatars on the website.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical activity	Six months	The amount and intensity of physical activity is recorded continuously every study day that participants wear their accelerometer for the duration of the six month study. The primary outcome reported will be rates of "moderate to vigorous physical activity" as defined by the CDC.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers	Six months	In the subset of study participants who agree to provide blood samples, blood samples collected at study baseline and at the six month study completion will be assayed for measures of inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein) and metabolic function (e.g.,hemoglobin-A1C).

Trial Locations

Locations (6)

Los Osos Middle School; 🇺🇸 Los Osos, California, United States

E.C. Reems Academy; 🇺🇸 Oakland, California, United States

Berkley Maynard Academy; 🇺🇸 Oakland, California, United States

Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts; 🇺🇸 Vista, California, United States

Judkins Middle School; 🇺🇸 Pismo Beach, California, United States

West Virginia University; 🇺🇸 Morgantown, West Virginia, United States