Assessing the Effect of Cool Roofs on Health Using Smartwatches in Niue
- Conditions
- All-day StepsModerate-intensity Activity MinutesTime in Sleep StagesSleep ScoreHeart RateDistance WalkedAwake DurationActive MinutesVigorous-intensity Activity DurationSleep Quantity
- Registration Number
- NCT06571019
- Lead Sponsor
- Aditi Bunker
- Brief Summary
Ambient air temperatures in the Pacific have broken record highs in 2024. Solutions are needed to build heat resilience in communities and adapt to increasing heat from climate change. Sunlight-reflecting cool roof coatings may passively reduce indoor temperatures and energy use to protect home occupants from extreme heat. Occupants living in poor housing conditions in the Pacific are susceptible to increased heat exposure.
Heat exposure can instigate and worsen numerous physical, mental and social health conditions. The worst adverse health effects are experienced in communities that are least able to adapt to heat exposure. By reducing indoor temperatures, cool roof use may promote heart health, sleep and physical activity in household occupants.
The long-term research goal of the investigators is to identify viable passive housing adaptation technologies with proven health benefits to reduce the burden of heat stress in communities affected by heat in Niue. To meet this goal, the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial to establish the effects of cool roof use on heart rate, sleep and physical activity in Niue.
- Detailed Description
Increasing heat exposure from climate change is causing and exacerbating heat-related illnesses in millions worldwide - particularly in low-resource settings. June 2024 was the 13th consecutive hottest month on record globally - shattering previous records. Heat exposure can instigate and worsen health conditions, including cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine and respiratory disease, heat-related illnesses, pregnancy complications, and mental health conditions. Adaptation is essential for protecting people from increasing heat exposure. The built environment, especially homes, is ideal for deploying interventions to reduce heat exposure and accelerate adaptation efforts. However, there currently is a lack of evidence on a global scale - generated through empirical studies - guiding the uptake of interventions to reduce heat stress in low-resource settings.
Pacific Islands and other small island developing states are among the most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and are likely to experience increases in ambient air temperature over the coming decades. People in Niue are exposed to heat and humidity year-round. The Pacific Islands have a large burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with nearly three-quarters of deaths due to NCDs. The combined burden of heat and NCDs places Pacific Island populations at greater risk of adverse health effects from heat extremes.
Sunlight-reflecting cool roof coatings passively reduce indoor temperatures and lower energy use, offering protection to home occupants from extreme heat. The investigators therefore aim to conduct a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of cool roofs on heart rate, sleep and physical activity using smartwatches in Niue.
The trial will quantify whether cool roofs are an effective passive home cooling intervention with beneficial health effects for vulnerable populations in Niue. Findings will inform regional and global policy responses on scaling cool roof implementation to protect people from increasing heat exposure driven by climate change.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 200
Participant criteria:
- Consenting adult aged 18 years and over.
- Expected to be available to participate in the study for at least nine months in the next 12 months.
- Willing and able to wear a smartwatch.
Household criteria:
- House has a metal roof.
- House is single-story.
Participant criteria:
- One participant per household
- Does not have a smartphone with an internet connection that can connect to the smartwatch.
Household criteria:
- Unstable house structure that does not permit the application of cool roof materials.
- Inaccessible by the research team.
- Significant roof damage defined as any penetrative roof defect that results in a hole in the roof OR over 25% of the roof rusted.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Heart rate Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. Heart rate in beats per minute measured at 15-second intervals using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Moderate-intensity activity minutes MeasuSmartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at barements will be taken continuously for 12 months. Participants will be asked to wear their smartwatch for at least two weeks every month. The total number of minutes of moderate-intensity activity daily using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Active minutes Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The total number of minutes of active exercise daily using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Vigorous-intensity activity duration Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The total number of minutes of vigorous-intensity activity daily using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Awake duration Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The number of hours spent awake during sleep time each night using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
All-day steps Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The number of steps measured daily using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Distance walked Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The total distance walked daily using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Time in sleep stages Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The number of hours spent in sleep stages each night using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Sleep score Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The Garmin sleep score (0-100) each night using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Sleep quantity Smartwatches will be worn for two consecutive weeks per month. Eight measurement points will be taken: one at baseline and seven over 12 months, covering three consecutive hottest months and four alternate months. The number of hours spent asleep each night using Garmin Vivosmart 5 devices.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Auckland
🇳🇺Auckland, Niue
University of Auckland🇳🇺Auckland, NiueCollin TukuitongaContactcollin.tukuitonga@auckland.ac.nzNoah Bunkley, Dr.Contactnoah.bunkley@auckland.ac.nzCollin Tukuitonga, Sir. Dr.ContactChris Bullen, Prof. Dr.ContactNoah H Bunkley, Dr.ContactAditi Bunker, Dr.Contact