A Trial of Habit Formation Theory for Exercise in Older Adults

Summary

This personalized trial will evaluate the effects of five behavioral change techniques (BCTs) described in Habit Formation Theory (Goal setting, Action Planning, Self-Monitoring, Behavioral Practice/Rehearsal and Habit Formation) delivered by text message to enhance low-intensity walking by 2,000 more steps per day/5 days per week in healthy Northwell employees aged 45-75 years old.

Conditions

• Sedentary Behavior
• Aging
• Activity, Motor
• Behavior, Health

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Goal setting

Goal setting: set or agree on a goal defined in terms of behavior to be achieved.

BEHAVIORAL

Action Planning

Action planning: prompt detailed planning of performance of behavior (must include a setting \[walking to the mailbox\], frequency, duration, and intensity.

BEHAVIORAL

Self-monitoring of behavior

Self-Monitoring of behavior: establish a method for person to monitor and record their number of steps based on their Fitbit.

BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral Practice/Rehearsal

Behavioral rehearsal: prompt practice or rehearsal of walking one or more times in a context when the performance may not be necessary, in order to increase habit and skill.

BEHAVIORAL

Habit Formation

Prompt rehearsal \& repetition of walking 2,000 steps or more in the same context repeatedly so that the context elicits the behavior.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  collaborator NIH

• Columbia University

  collaborator OTHER

• Northwell Health

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Karina W Davidson · Northwell Health

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-03-26

Primary Completion

2022-02-01

Completion

2022-05-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations