Increasing Physical Activity Among Early Career Professionals: A Feasibility Trial of an Online Intervention
Condition: Health Promotion; Physical Activity
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Physical activity promotion remains a public health priority and accessible and scalable
      interventions are needed. Early career professionals are at-risk for inactivity and therefore
      a critical target for physical activity promotion. An online delivery format made up of
      web-based lessons and podcasts meets accessibility needs for this time-pressed population and
      has strong potential for reach.

      This study explores the feasibility of a theory-based intervention which accounts for action
      control, namely by leveraging the the Multi-Process Action Control framework (M-PAC) and
      targeting factors such as incidental affect (e.g., work-related stress) through emotion
      regulation strategies grounded in the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

      The primary objective of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a
      6-week web-based physical activity behaviour change program for early career professionals.
      Primary outcomes include rates of recruitment, attention, adherence as well as study
      satisfaction and intervention acceptability. Secondary measures will include physical
      activity and emotion regulation. Additional measures will explore Multi-Process Action
      Control constructs, perceived stress, applied mindfulness, action and acceptance, and valued
      living.
    

Detailed description: 
      BACKGROUND

      Despite the well-established physical and psychological benefit of physical activity, much of
      the population is not meeting recommended guidelines. Critical life transitions have been
      linked to physical activity decline and it follows that targeting those in transition is
      prudent. Early career professionals are one such critical demographic. Given the stress,
      demands, and time constraints that come with shifting to the workforce, it can be difficult
      to follow through on physical activity intentions. As such, an intervention designed to
      incorporate intention translation, mitigate incidental affect, and foster emotion regulation
      is warranted. This study will examine the feasibility of an accessible online intervention.
      Qualitative analysis will assist with refining the intervention and the protocol. Progression
      criteria will be used to determine whether revisions should be considered before proceeding
      to a definitive randomized controlled trial.

      TARGET POPULATION

      Early career professionals, operationalized as adults aged 25-44 and working at a desk-based
      job.

      DESIGN

      An open parallel feasibility randomized controlled trial will compare an online intervention
      condition to a waitlist control condition. This study features a controlled baseline with a
      post-intervention (6 weeks) evaluative design with an embedded qualitative and quantitative
      process evaluation.

      INTERVENTION

      Participants will be randomized to 1) a waitlist control group and 2) and Online Platform
      Intervention group.

      Condition one: Waitlist control group representing the comparator. The control group will
      complete the baseline and final questionnaires. Following study completion, this group has
      the option of gaining access to the online platform for their own benefit.

      Condition two: Intervention group. Those in the intervention condition will gain access to
      the online platform after completing a baseline questionnaire. Participants will engage in a
      self-guided 6 week program made up of weekly lessons. A 'booster session' will be offered at
      3 weeks to check in regarding progress and engagement. A follow-up survey will be completed
      at 6 weeks, post-intervention. Participants will be invited to complete a qualitative
      semi-structured exit interview following final questionnaire completion.
    

Intervention name(s): Digital Health Behaviour Change Platform
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants will gain access to 6 weekly lessons.
A series of 6 weekly educational modules including information on psychosocial determinants of physical activity engagement, adherence and maintenance, as well as corresponding behaviour change techniques and a number of other tools and strategies, such as reflection activities, quizzes, and worksheets. Mini podcasts are available to supplement the concepts introduced in the modules. The content is tailored for early career professionals. There will be an emphasis on tactics (e.g., mindfulness, acceptance, emotion regulation) to assist with overcoming incidental affect.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Emotion Regulation; Intention-behaviour Gap; Early Career Professionals