Evaluating Motivational Interviewing and Habit Formation to Enhance the Effect of Activity Trackers on Physical Activity
Condition: Physical Activity Promotion
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Wearable fitness monitors are increasingly popular but the actual utility of these devices
      for promoting physical activity behavior is unknown. The purpose is to examine the efficacy
      of the Fitbit monitor for previously inactive individuals when used alone or following brief
      training in behavior change strategies and techniques. Psychosocial factors will be assessed
      and changes in physical activity will be monitored over three months to determine the
      efficacy of this intervention and to better understand individual differences in
      effectiveness.
    

Detailed description: 
      The objective for this pilot study is to determine the efficacy of the Fitbit Charge wearable
      fitness monitor alone or in combination with additional behavior change strategies for
      increasing physical activity in inactive adults. A secondary objective is to assess the
      influence of psychosocial factors (e.g. self-efficacy, self-regulation, habit formation) on
      the effectiveness of this type of behavior change intervention. The central hypothesis is
      that use of the Fitbit will increase physical activity from baseline and that adding
      additional strategies will enhance this effect. This hypothesis is based on previous research
      demonstrating that continuous self- monitoring (using wearable technology) is effective in
      promotion of weight-loss in overweight and obese adults. This objective will be addressed
      through pursuing the following specific aims.

      Aim 1: To determine the efficacy of using the Fitbit to increase physical activity behaviors
      and improve health markers in inactive adults. The working hypothesis is that wearing a
      Fitbit for 3 months will increase physical activity and improve health markers from baseline
      to follow-up in inactive adults.

      Aim 2: To compare the efficacy of the Fitbit alone to the Fitbit in combination with behavior
      change strategies for increasing physical activity and improving psychosocial factors in
      inactive adults. The working hypothesis is that using the Fitbit along with behavior change
      strategies will lead to greater improvements in physical activity and psychosocial factors
      (self- motivation, self-regulation, self-efficacy, and social support) than using the Fitbit
      alone.

      Aim 3: To assess the influence of individual differences in psychosocial variables on changes
      in physical activity over the intervention. The working hypothesis is that higher levels of
      self- motivation, self-regulation, self-efficacy, and social support at baseline will be
      predictive of greater improvements in physical activity over the intervention, regardless of
      group assignment.
    

Intervention name(s): Activity tracker and health coaching
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Use of an activity tracker alone or in combination with health coaching on physical activity behaviors.
Other intervention name(s): Fitbit
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Participants are randomized to one of two groups. One group received an activity tracker and the other received an activity tracker in combination with Health Coaching.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Activity tracker; Physical Activity; mHealth; habit; Motivational Interviewing