This is a randomized, controlled pilot trial (N=30) to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Move with Meaning program, an 8- week, text message- and audio-based intervention to promote physical activity in midlife adults.
This is a randomized, controlled pilot trial to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Move with Meaning program, an 8- week, text message- and audio-based intervention to promote physical activity in midlife adults. In Move with Meaning, participants will listen to weekly audio sessions and complete twice weekly text message sessions, in which they will set a weekly physical activity goal. The primary outcome is feasibility (measured by number of successful text message sessions sent). Secondary outcomes include acceptability and preliminary impact on physical activity, psychological health-, and physical health-related outcomes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
Participants will engage in twice weekly text message sessions, will listen to a weekly audio session, and will work towards a physical activity goal each week, for a total of eight weeks.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Proportion of text message sessions successfully delivered
The automated platform will record rates of successful text message delivery.
Time frame: Weekly over 8 weeks
Proportion of audio sessions completed by participants
We will record the number of sessions in which participants engaged (e.g., responded to a text message), out of a total of 8 sessions.
Time frame: Weekly over 8 weeks
Session utility
Participants will rate the utility of each session, measured on a 10-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate greater utility.
Time frame: Weekly over 8 weeks
Change in overall physical activity (in steps/day)
Physical activity (steps) will be measured via an Actigraph accelerometer. We will use established accelerometer protocols to measure the mean number of steps taken per day at each time point.
Time frame: Measured for 7 days at baseline (both groups), 8-weeks (both groups), and 16 weeks (wait-list control group only)
Change in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA; in mean minutes/day)
MVPA (reported in mean minutes of MVPA/day) will be measured via an Actigraph accelerometer and recorded in mean minutes/day.
Time frame: Measured for 7 days at baseline (both groups), 8-weeks (both groups), and 16 weeks (wait-list control group only)
Change in sedentary time (in mean minutes/day)
Sedentary time (mean minutes/day) will be measured via Actigraph accelerometer.
Time frame: Measured for 7 days at baseline (both groups), 8-weeks (both groups), and 16 weeks (wait-list control group only)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Change in self-reported physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]; in metabolic equivalent-minutes/week)
This will be measured via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) as a secondary measure of physical activity.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in positive affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule [PANAS] positive affect items)
Positive affect (our main psychological outcome given its links to health outcomes and sensitivity to change) will be assessed via the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) positive affect items. PANAS scores range from 10-50, with higher scores indicating higher levels of positive affect.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in optimism (Life Orientation Test - Revised [LOT-R])
Optimism will be measured using the Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R), a frequently used 6-item instrument that assesses dispositional optimism. LOT-R scores range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating higher levels of optimism.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in depressive symptoms (depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]).
Depressive symptoms will be measured using the 7-item depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The depression subscale of the HADS ranges from 0-21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in anxiety (anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS])
Anxiety will be measured using the 7-item anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The anxiety subscale of the HADS ranges from 0-21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in exercise self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Exercise scale [SEE])
Exercise self-efficacy will be measured via the Self-Efficacy for Exercise (SEE) scale. SEE scores range from 0-90, with higher scores indicating higher levels of self-efficacy for exercise.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support)
Perceived social support will be measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). MSPSS scores range from 1-7, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived social support.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in internal health locus of control (Multidimensional Health Locus of Control [MHLC] scale)
Internal locus/sense of control will be measured using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale. The internal locus of control score from the MHLC ranges from 6-36, with higher scores indicating greater internal locus of control.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)
Change in positive affect during activity (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale)
Positive affect during activity will be measured using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale scores range from 18-126, with higher scores indicating higher levels of enjoyment during activity.
Time frame: Baseline (both groups), 8 weeks (both groups), 16 weeks (wait-list control group)