This study is a randomized, factorial experiment using the basic Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) approach to efficiently test the effects of four distinct behavior change techniques (BCTs), goal setting, action planning, self- monitoring and feedback, thought to engage one key behavioral mechanism of action (MoA) for improving daily walking by at least 1000 steps per day in persons who have been objectively verified as sedentary and are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
This study is a randomized, factorial experiment using the basic Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) approach to efficiently test the effects of four distinct behavior change techniques (BCTs), goal setting, action planning, self- monitoring and feedback, hypothesized to engage one key behavioral mechanism of action (MoA-self-efficacy for walking) for improving daily walking by at least 1000 steps per day in persons who have been objectively verified as sedentary and are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants who self-report themselves as physically sedentary and possess at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease are eligible for a 4-week baseline period in which they must demonstrate adherence to Fitbit activity tracking use, completion of survey measures, and be objectively verified as sedentary. Participants who successfully complete baseline will proceed to the 8-week intervention phase of the study. They will be randomized to one of 16 possible intervention arms and receive one or more behavior change techniques shown to be efficacious in promoting greater physical activity. Behavior change techniques will be delivered via text message each morning with the goal of increasing low intensity physical activity by walking 1,000 steps more than the baseline step average. One group (control) will not receive any BCT messages. Upon completion of the intervention phase, participants will continue to have their step counts continuously monitored during the 12-week follow-up phase. All participants will complete bi-weekly surveys throughout the entire duration of the study (baseline, intervention, follow-up).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
606
Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".
Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"
Institute of Health System Science
New York, New York, United States
Change in Longitudinally Measured Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy, the hypothesized mechanism of action, will be assessed using the Self-Efficacy for Walking - Duration (SEW-DUR) scale, a 10-item measure assessing patient's capabilities to walk for durations of 5 to 50 minutes. Items are scored from 0 to 100%, with scores of 0% indicating participants are "not at all confident" they could walk for that duration and scores of 100% indicating the participants are "highly confident" they could walk that duration. Items are average to create a total score, with higher scores indicating higher levels of beliefs about capabilities/self-efficacy. The effect of the BCT intervention on longitudinal self-efficacy for physical activity will be assessed using linear mixed effects models, which include a random participant effect, fixed BCT intervention effects, a fixed time effect, and fixed BCT-time interaction. Potential moderators (including participant age, gender, and baseline physical activity) will also be examined.
Time frame: Self-efficacy will be assessed every two weeks during the baseline (4 weeks), intervention (8 weeks), and follow-up (12 weeks) periods.
Change in Longitudinally Measured Physical Activity due to Self-Efficacy.
Participant steps will be assessed continuously using a Fitbit activity tracking device. Daily steps for participants will be aggregated by baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases to generate average daily steps in each phase. Associations between self-efficacy and physical activity will be assessed using linear mixed effects models, which include a random participant effect, fixed self-efficacy intervention effects, a fixed time effect, and fixed self-efficacy-time interaction. Potential moderators (including participant age, gender, and baseline physical activity) will also be examined.
Time frame: Steps will be assessed continuously via worn activity tracker. Step counts will be aggregated and analyzed at the daily level during the baseline (4 weeks), intervention (8 weeks), and follow-up (12 weeks) periods.
Change in Longitudinally Measured Physical Activity due to the BCT Intervention
Participant steps will be assessed continuously using a Fitbit activity tracking device. Daily steps for participants will be aggregated by baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases to generate average daily steps in each phase. The effect of the BCT intervention on physical activity will be assessed using linear mixed effects models, which include a random participant effect, fixed BCT intervention effects, a fixed time effect, and fixed BCT-time interaction. Potential moderators (including participant age, gender, and baseline physical activity) will also be examined.
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Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."
Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "
Time frame: Steps will be assessed continuously via worn activity tracker. Step counts will be aggregated and analyzed at the daily level during the baseline (4 weeks), intervention (8 weeks), and follow-up (12 weeks) periods.
Indirect Effect of the BCT Intervention on Physical Activity
Participant steps will be assessed continuously using a Fitbit activity tracking device. Daily steps for participants will be aggregated by baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases to generate average daily steps in each phase. The effects of the BCT intervention on physical activity via the hypothesized mechanism of action, self-efficacy, will be examined using natural effects models for effect decomposition into direct effect and indirect effect mediated by increase in self-efficacy relative to baseline. In addition, in order to assess how the timing of increase in self-efficacy mediates BCT effects, we will perform sequential mediation analysis en bloc under the natural effects modeling framework.
Time frame: Steps will be assessed continuously via worn activity tracker. Step counts will be aggregated and analyzed at the daily level during the baseline (4 weeks), intervention (8 weeks), and follow-up (12 weeks) periods.