Text-Messaging to Motivate Walking in Older African Americans

Georgetown University36 enrolled

Overview

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.

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)

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Physical Activity Motor Activity

Interventions

Motivational text messagingBEHAVIORAL

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

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsMax age: 85 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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.

Locations (1)

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Primary outcome measure was step count

Motivational text messaging led to greater improvements in step count (+679 vs. +398; P \< .05)

Time frame: 6-weeks

Secondary Outcomes

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.

Time frame: 6-weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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