Behavior Change Techniques (BCTs) to Improve Low Intensity Physical Activity in Older Adults
Condition: Sedentary Behavior
Intervention: Behavioral Change Techniques
Intervention description: Four behavioral changes techniques (BCTs) will be administered to participants in random order. The BCTs are defined as follows:
Goal setting: set or agree on a goal defined in terms of behavior to be achieved. Example: Set the goal of walking 2,000 steps more per day.
Action planning: prompt detailed planning of performance of behavior (must include a setting [walking to the mailbox], frequency, duration, and intensity. Example: Develop a plan to walk today.
Self-Monitoring of behavior: establish a method for person to monitor and record their number of steps based on their Fitbit. Example: Did you check your Fitbit and record daily total number of steps?
Feedback on behavior: Monitor and provide informative or evaluative feedback on performance of the behavior (e.g. form, frequency, duration, intensity). Example: You walked 6,000 steps today. This is 1,000 steps above your baseline.
Phase: Phase 1
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Health Services Research
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: The order of administration for the 4 Behavioral Change Techniques (BCTs) will be randomized by the study statistician.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Enrollment: 60.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 45 Years
Maximum age: 75 Years
Healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Keywords: Physical Activity; Sedentary Behavior; Behavior Change; Behavior Change Techniques; Virtual; Personalized Trial; Personalized; Feasibility

Summary:

      The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of using personalized trial
      methods in a virtual research study with Northwell employees aged 45-75 years old to increase
      low-intensity walking by 2,000 steps per day/5 days per week using four behavior change
      techniques (BCTs), provided in random order, and shown to have been effective in changing
      physical activity. The study will include a two-week baseline period during which levels of
      physical activity and adherence to the trial protocol will be evaluated. Individuals meeting
      adherence criteria will be randomized to the eight-week BCT intervention.
    

Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Age 45 - 75 years old of age

          -  Fluent in English

          -  Employed in the Northwell Health system

          -  Community-dwelling

          -  Report they are in good general health, walk regularly and have never been informed by
             a clinician that it was not advisable/safe to participate in a low-intensity walking
             program

          -  Owns and can regularly access a smartphone capable of receiving text messages

          -  Owns and can regularly access an e-mail account

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  < 45 years old or > 75 years old

          -  Unable to speak/comprehend English

          -  Not employed in Northwell Health system

          -  Have self-reported poor health, limited mobility and/or have been advised by a
             clinician not to increase their low-intensity walking

          -  Pregnancy

          -  Previous diagnosis of a serious mental health condition or psychiatric disorder, such
             as bipolar disorder