Text-Messaging to Motivate Walking in Older African Americans

Physical Activity Clinical Trial

Official title:

An Motivational Text Messaging Walking Program for Older African Americans

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01697475
• Other study ID #: AJPM 12-0206-126R
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: September 27, 2012
• Last updated: September 27, 2012
• Start date: October 2010
• Est. completion date: August 2011

Study information

• Verified date: September 2011
• Source: Georgetown University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study examined the impact of using a motivational mobile text messaging intervention to increase step count among older community-dwelling African Americans. Secondary aims were to study the effects of text messaging on self-reported leisure time exercise behavior.

Hypothesis:

Participants in the motivational mobile text messaging group will have an increase step count after 6-weeks.

Description:

Background: Older minority populations can benefit from increased physical activity, especially walking. Text messaging interventions have the potential to encourage positive changes in health behavior in these groups.

Purpose: To examine if a six week program of motivational text messaging increases physical activity (step count) among older African Americans in an urban setting.

Design: Randomized, controlled trial pilot study with assignment to motivational text messaging group or a control group.

Setting/Participants: Thirty-six African Americans aged 60 to 85.

Intervention: The intervention group received motivational text messages three times a day, three days a week, for six weeks. Both groups received pedometers and walking manuals to record step counts. Study was conducted and analyzed in 2011.

Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measure was step count. Secondary outcome measure was perceived activity levels assessed by the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ).

Results/Conclusion: In press - American Journal of Preventive Medicine (Jan 2013)

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 36
• Est. completion date: August 2011
• Est. primary completion date: July 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 60 Years to 85 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• African American community-dwelling adults aged 60 to 85 who were recruited from senior centers.

• had to be healthy (no restrictions and medical clearance to walk)

• had to have a mobile phone with text messaging capability

Exclusion Criteria:

• (a) any physical, psychological illness, or medical problems that restricted them from walking; (b) did not own a mobile phone with text messaging capability; or (c) were not willing or able to follow study procedures.

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Motor Activity
• Physical Activity

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Motivational text messaging
Motivational text messaging was given for participants in the intervention group - 3 times a day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Georgetown University	University of Pennsylvania

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Primary outcome measure was step count	Motivational text messaging led to greater improvements in step count (+679 vs. +398; P < .05)	6-weeks	No
Secondary	Secondary outcome measure was perceived activity levels assessed by the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ).	Motivational text messaging led to greater improvements perceived activity levels (P < .05) than the group who did not receive any text messages.	6-weeks	No