Text Messages and Physical Activity Among Teens

Baylor College of Medicine160 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to assess whether text messages can be used as a way to increase the amount of physical activity teens get each day.

This research will develop an innovative intervention that promotes physical activity to 14-17 year olds (roughly high school aged youth). It is guided by Self Determination Theory and seeks to enhance adolescents' feelings of physical activity autonomy, competence, and relatedness, key psychological needs related to motivation to be physically active. The physical activity to be promoted is walking, which has broad appeal and can be performed as part of usual-day activities. Since youth are heavy users of cell phones and texting, the intervention will send theoretically-grounded text messages designed to enhance physical activity.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

160

Conditions

Physical Activity

Interventions

TXT MeBEHAVIORAL

text messages, physical activity, self determination theory, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, pedometers, walking, prompts

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 14 YearsMax age: 17 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 14-17 years old * access to a computer with high speed internet access * home email address * cell phone that can send/receive text messages * text message plan * fluent in English Exclusion Criteria: * mental or physical limitations that impair ability to fully participate in the program and/or complete baseline and post assessment data collection.

Locations (1)

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, Texas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

physical activity

physical activity will be assessed for 7 days at each data collection period; accelerometers will be used to assess physical activity amount and intensity

Time frame: 3 months

Secondary Outcomes

Psychological need satisfaction in exercise

This scale will be used to assess psychological needs related to exercise - autonomy, relatedness, and competence

Time frame: 3 months

Behavioral Regulation in Exercise

This scale will be used to assess motivation for exercise

Time frame: 3 months

Satisfaction

Satisfaction with the study will be assessed using standard questions

Time frame: 3 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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