Positive Psychology for Physical Activity Promotion

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study is for physically inactive adults. Participants will be enrolled in the Positive Psychology and Physical Activity intervention designed to help them overcome barriers to physical activity, based on the principals of positive psychology. This will involve six weekly one-hour group-based sessions at a local YMCA with a trained group leader. In addition to the in-person sessions, there will be text messages sent to participants about physical activity that include positive psychology content.

Detailed Description
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The investigators propose to conduct a pilot study to test feasibility and proof-of-concept for a positive psychology intervention program to promote exercise among low-active overweight and obese adults. The program will be (a) a 6-week, group-based intervention, (b) delivered at local YMCAs, and (c) supplemented with text messaging. In an additive design, participants will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to PPPA (n = 40) versus a control intervention (n = 20) including only the standard PA promotion components of the PPPA intervention (i.e., PA education, self-monitoring, and goal-setting), with equal frequency of staff contact and text message delivery. All participants will be followed for 3 months, and will receive a 3-month YMCA membership to equate access to PA facilities. As a secondary aim the investigators will examine effect sizes for PPPA versus the standard PA intervention on putative mediators that may underlie the efficacy of PPPA in improving PA outcomes, including positive and negative affect, optimism, happiness, life satisfaction, social support for PA, and PA enjoyment. The proposed research will set the stage for an RCT to test a novel PA promotion intervention that can be readily disseminated.

Official Title
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Physical Activity Promotion Based on Positive Psychology: Development and Piloting of a Novel Intervention Approach

Conditions
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Obesity, Physical Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: PPPA
* Behavioral: PA


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Sedentary or low-active, (defined as < 60 min/week of structured physical activity) Able to receive and respond to a text message at the time of screening Exclusion Criteria: History of coronary artery disease History of stroke History of uncontrolled hypertension History of asthma History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) History of diabetes History of osteoarthritis or orthopedic problems that limit physical activity BMI greater than 40

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Positive Psychology<br>On a weekly basis, participants will engage in group-based intervention sessions that focus on personal strengths and the value of positive emotions and cognitions. Participants will receive daily text-messages addressing the content introduced during group sessions. | Behavioral: PPPA<br>* The intervention will focus on a) health benefits of PA, b) individualized PA intensity prescriptions and instruction on gauging PA intensity, c) goal-setting and self-monitoring, and d) tips on overcoming barriers to PA. Participants will be instructed to target 30-60 min/day 5 days/week of MVPA consistent with national guidelines. PA content will be concentrated in sessions 1 and 2, but content on goal-setting, self-monitoring, and overcoming barriers will continue throughout the 6-week period. The intervention includes activities that focus on identifying each individual's strengths, identifying/savoring positive experiences, engaging in constructive conversation, expressing gratitude, and strategies to maintain increased positive affect after the intervention has completed.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Physical Activity Promotion<br>On a weekly basis, participants will engage in group-based intervention sessions that focus on the standard physical activity promotion components of the PPPA condition. Participants will receive daily text-messages addressing the content introduced during group sessions. | Behavioral: PA<br>* The intervention will focus on (a) health benefits of PA, (b) individualized PA intensity prescriptions and instruction on how to gauge PA intensity, (c) goal-setting and self-monitoring, and (d) tips on overcoming barriers to PA, including time-management. Participants will be instructed to target 30-60 min/day 5 days/week of MVPA consistent with national guidelines. PA content will be concentrated in sessions 1 and 2, but content on goal-setting, self-monitoring, and overcoming barriers will continue throughout the 6-week period.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Moderate-to-Vigorous Minutes of Physical Activity Per Week | Change in Moderate-to-Vigorous Minutes of Physical Activity Per Week [Time Frame: Measured at baseline, mid-treatment (week 4), and post-treatment (week 7).] | Measured at baseline, mid-treatment (week 4), and post-treatment (week 7). | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Positive and Negative Affect | The Positive and Negative Affect Scale measures changes in positive and negative affect. Both positive and negative affect sub-scales will be scored (scores range from 10 to 50 for each individual sub-scale), with higher scores on the positive affect scale and lower scores on the negative affect scale indicating a better outcome. | Survey will be administered at baseline, week 4 (mid-treatment), week 7 (post-treatment), and week 10 (one-month follow-up). | 
| Change in Optimism | Life Orientation Test- Revised measures trait optimism. Scores range from 10 to 50, with higher scores reflecting greater optimism. Higher scores will reflect better outcomes of the intervention. | Survey will be administered at baseline, week 4 (mid-treatment), week 7 (post-treatment), and week 10 (one-month follow-up). | 
| Change in Subjective Happiness | Measure of subjective happiness. Scores range from 4 to 28, with higher scores reflecting greater subjective happiness. Higher scores will reflect better outcomes of the intervention. | Survey will be administered at baseline, week 4, week 7, and week 10. | 
| Change in Satisfaction With Life | Measures subjective well-being. Scores range from 5 to 35, with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction with life and subjective well-being. Higher scores will reflect better outcomes of the intervention. | Survey will be administered at baseline, week 4 (mid-treatment), week 7 (post-treatment), and week 10 (one-month follow-up). | 
| Change in Social Support for Exercise | Measures perceived social support for regular exercise. Scores range from 13 to 65, with higher scores reflecting greater social support. Will be assessed as a putative mediator. | Survey will be administered at baseline, week 4 (mid-treatment), week 7 (post-treatment), and week 10 (one-month follow-up). | 
| Change in Physical Activity Enjoyment | Measures enjoyment of physical activity. Scores range from 18 to 126, with higher scores reflecting greater enjoyment. Will be assessed as a putative mediator. | Survey will be administered at baseline, week 4 (mid-treatment), week 7 (post-treatment), and week 10 (one-month follow-up). | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Affect, Positive Psychology