Accelerometer-linked Online Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Adolescents

Summary

The primary objective of this protocol is to test whether an activity monitor with an online motivational rewards component will increase physical activity levels of middle school-aged students. The secondary objective is to learn about the functionality and utilization of the activity meter device among this age group.

Conditions

• Health Behavior
• Adolescent Behavior
• Motivation

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Intervention Group (motivational website, activity meter)

The activity meter linked to a motivational website is designed to motivate middle school-aged children to increase their rates of physical activity by providing feedback on the amount of activity, and rewards based on the amount and duration of activity.

BEHAVIORAL

Active Control (active video game, activity meter)

The active video game, Dance Dance Revolution, requires physical movement as part of game play and may motivate users to engage in more activity. The same activity meter used in the Intervention Group is provided to this group to track physical activity but does not link to the motivational website nor does it provide any feedback on levels or duration of activity.

OTHER

Passive Control (activity meter)

Participants are provided the same activity meter used in the other study groups to track physical activity but it does not link to the motivational website nor does it provide any feedback on levels or duration of activity. Participants are asked to go about their normal activities.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• West Virginia University

  collaborator OTHER

• Santech, Inc

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Stanford University

  collaborator OTHER

• HopeLab Foundation

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Steven Cole, PhD · HopeLab Foundation

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

11 Years

Max Age

14 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-10-31

Primary Completion

2009-06-30

Completion

2009-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations