Multiphase Activity Promotion Study

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the individual and combined effectiveness of two smartphone-based tools for improving physical activity. The first is an individualized and guided goal-setting module, and the second uses "points", "levels", and "badges" to provide instant positive feedback throughout the program. It is hypothesized that both components will be effective, and greater effects will be noted for those receiving both components.

Conditions

• Health Behavior
• Sedentary Lifestyle

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Group A

This condition receives three study components: 1. The base-level of the smartphone app, which contains health-related educational content (i.e., weekly videos, additional resources, quiz questions), activity tracking, and graphical feedback. 2. The guided goal-setting module within the app that utilizes participant activity preferences and experiences, as well as performance within the program to guide the setting of high-quality short and long-term physical activity goals. These goals form the basis of the physical activity prescription. 3. The points-based feedback module. For each action in the app (e.g., setting goals, achieving goals, viewing weekly videos, answering quiz questions, tracking activity), a number of "program points" is awarded. These are weighted by task difficulty, and accumulate to earn "levels". Levels accumulate to earn "badges" depicting an avatar becoming increasingly healthy and active. Badges accumulate to earn "titles" (e.g., "expert exerciser").

BEHAVIORAL

Group B

This condition receives two study components: 1. The first is the base-level of the smartphone app, which contains health-related educational content (i.e., weekly videos, additional resources, brief quiz questions), behavioral tracking, and instantaneous graphical feedback. 2. The second is the guided goal-setting module within the app that utilizes participant activity preferences and experiences, as well as performance within the program to guide the setting of high-quality short and long-term physical activity goals. These goals form the basis of the physical activity prescription.

BEHAVIORAL

Group C

This condition receives two study components: 1. The first is the base-level of the smartphone app, which contains health-related educational content (i.e., weekly videos, additional resources, brief quiz questions), behavioral tracking, and instantaneous graphical feedback. 2. The second is the points-based feedback module. For each action in the app (e.g., viewing weekly videos, answering quiz questions, tracking activity), a number of "program points" is awarded. These are weighted by task difficulty, and accumulate to earn "levels". Levels accumulate to earn "badges" depicting an avatar becoming increasingly healthy and active. Badges accumulate to earn "titles" (e.g., "expert exerciser"). As the intervention is goal drive, these participants will also receive printed goal setting worksheets.

BEHAVIORAL

Group D

This condition receives only the base-level smartphone app. This contains health-related educational content (i.e., weekly videos, additional resources, brief quiz questions), behavioral tracking, and instantaneous graphical feedback. As the intervention is goal drive, these participants will also receive printed goal setting worksheets.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Edward McAuley, PhD · University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

54 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-11-30

Primary Completion

2016-04-30

Completion

2016-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations