Monitoring Physical Activity (Fitbit)
Condition: Physical Activity; Health Promotion
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of monitoring and sharing physical
      activity outcomes (using Fitbit technology) with a domestic partner on physical activity
      participation.

      Primary research question: Does sharing physical activity outcomes from wearable technology
      with a participant's partner improve overall physical activity over 3 months compared to not
      sharing outcomes? Physical activity will be measured as minutes of moderate to vigorous
      physical activity per week.

      Hypothesis: Knowledge that physical activity outcomes are visible to a participant's partner
      will serve as a proxy-supervision intervention. Awareness of partner's progress will serve as
      further motivation. Both factors will improve physical activity adherence in comparison to
      participants without shared outcomes.
    

Detailed description: 
      Background: Physical activity is associated with management and/or prevention of over 25
      chronic health conditions; however the majority of adults in North America are not active
      enough to experience these benefits. Behavioral strategies have been shown to be effective
      for increasing physical activity, and wearable fitness monitors such as Fitbits include
      components of several behavioral strategies including goal setting and feedback. While this
      technology provides a platform for implementing self-regulation techniques important for
      behavior change, direct supervision is still the most effective strategy for behavior change.
      Supervised exercise programs and personal trainers may not be accessible or affordable for
      people; this study will examine whether proxy supervision by a partner is effective in
      changing behavior compared to self-regulation alone.

      Target Population: Sedentary adults aged 45-75 years old living in Victoria,
      British-Columbia, Canada.

      Sample Size: 80 participant pairs (160 total participants), 40 pairs per group (80
      participants per group).

      Intervention: Participants will be randomized to two groups: 1 - Self Monitored, 2 - Partner
      monitored. Both groups will receive an intervention with Group 1 (Self monitored) serving as
      the comparison group. Participants from both groups will wear an accelerometer for 1 week and
      complete an online questionnaire at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months. Measures of height,
      weight, waist circumference, and resting blood pressure and heart rate will be taken at
      baseline and 3 months. Participants will all receive a Fitbit activity tracker and wear it
      for 3 months. Group 2 (Partner monitor) participants will also have access to their partner's
      daily progress, receive eachother's Weekly Fitbit reports, and engage in a weekly discussion
      related to their Weekly Fitbit Report.
    

Intervention name(s): Fitbit use and reports; Partner engagement
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants will receive a Fitbit device to be used for the duration of the study. Participants will engage with the Fitbit and application and receive Weekly Progress Reports from Fitbit.; Participants will be connected with their partner in the Fitbit app and therefore have the ability to access their partner's progress. Participants' Weekly Progress Reports will be automatically forwarded to their partner. Participants will engage in a weekly discussion on the topic of their Weekly Progress Reports.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Behavioural