Physical Activity Intervention to Promote Walking Among Female University Students

Physical Activity Clinical Trial

Official title:

WhatsApp Physical Activity Intervention to Promote Walking Among Female University Students in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03143309
• Other study ID #: QassimU
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: March 15, 2017
• Est. completion date: December 28, 2017

Study information

• Verified date: October 2018
• Source: Qassim University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study is a parallel group randomized controlled trial among female university students designed to test the effect of a physical activity intervention on daily walking. Both groups will receive messages 2-3 times per week via WhatsApp. Intervention group will receive orientation and wear a pedometer for the study period. The follow-up duration is 3 months.

Description:

Background: Sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. The majority of Saudi females do not meet a recommended level of physical activity.

Study Objective: To test the effect of a physical activity intervention on daily walking.

Study Design: Parallel group randomized controlled design among female university students.

Methods: Students will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control arm. WhatsApp groups (2 per arm) will be formed within each study arm for communications. The intervention participants will receive a brief (15-minute) orientation on diet, exercise, and benefits of keeping a healthy weight; each will be instructed to wear a pedometer every day for 12-weeks with a daily step goal of 8,000. They will receive 2-3 health-promotional (walking and diet) messages per week via WhatsApp; group interaction is optional. The control group participants will receive 2-3 non-health related messages per week. Average daily steps will be assessed in all participants at baseline and 3-month follow-up using a 7-day pedometer measurement.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 207
• Est. completion date: December 28, 2017
• Est. primary completion date: December 28, 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 18 Years to 28 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• female

• student enrolled at Qassim University during 2016-2017 academic year

• owns smartphone with internet access

• willing to complete all study requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

• Physical disability that precludes physical activity

• Morbidly obese (Body Mass Index >45 kg/m2)

• Physician recommendation not to exercise

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Physical Activity

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Intervention
Brief introductory session, pedometer instruction, daily pedometer use, and health messages delivered via WhatsApp 2-3 times per week.

Other:
• Control
Non-health related messages delivered via WhatsApp 2-3 times per week.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Saudi Arabia	Qassim University	Buraidah	Al-Qassim

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Qassim University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Saudi Arabia, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Walking	Change in 7-day average steps. Measurement tool = Omron pedometer HJ-320	Baseline to 3-month follow-up
Secondary	Self-reported walking	Change between baseline and follow-up for walking minutes per week. Measurement tool = International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)	Baseline to 3-month follow-up
Secondary	Body Mass Index	Change in BMI score between baseline and follow-up. Objective measurement of height and weight.	Baseline to 3-month follow-up
Secondary	Barriers to weight management	Change in number of barriers between baseline and follow-up. Measurement tool = Validated questionnaire.	Baseline to 3-month follow-up