Physical Activity: Feasibility Study

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-64
SponsorBinghamton University

About this trial

The Physical Activity Self-efficacy (PAS) intervention is a web-based behavioral intervention newly developed to promote physical activity in adults with obesity. The conceptual framework for the PAS intervention is based on self-efficacy theory. The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the PAS online intervention for adults with obesity recruited from a local weight management center in the United States of America (USA). The study design is a prospective, double-blind, parallel group randomized pilot trial. Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to the PAS group or usual care group to achieve a 1:1 group assignment. Recruitment of participants is scheduled to begin in January 2024 or earlier at a local weight management center within a private healthcare system in the USA. There are five eligibility criteria for participation in this study (e.g., a body mass index ≥ 25.00 kg/m2). Eligibility verification and data collection will be conducted online. Three waves of data collection will take up to 14 weeks depending on participants' progress in the study. Instruments designed to measure demographic information, anthropometric characteristics, self-efficacy, and acceptability will be included in the survey battery. A research-grade accelerometer will be used to measure free-living physical activity objectively. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical models under an intention-to-treat approach. This study will be sponsored by the Transdisciplinary Areas of Excellence Seed Grant Program from Binghamton University.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

The first criterion is being between 18 and 64 years old, consistent with evidence-based age groupings for global recommendations on physical activity for health.

The second criterion is a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25.00 kg/m2, consistent with many physical activity interventions in adults with obesity. A justification for this criterion is the need to promote physical activity in a BMI-based population in which few individuals may meet public health guidelines for physical activity.

The third criterion is the ability to access the online intervention. This criterion will be assessed by asking them to confirm that they will have access to a technological device (e.g., computer, smart phone) that can access the online intervention via a web browser.

The fourth criterion is a willingness to comply with instructions for physical activity monitoring. This criterion will be assessed by asking them if they are willing to wear a physical activity monitor on their waist for two 7-day intervals and complete a daily log sheet regarding wear time during each of the two 7-day intervals in the study. A justification for this criterion is based on previous studies where a similar question was asked to potential participants at screening. Those who indicate a willingness to comply with instructions for physical activity monitoring will be asked to provide information about their non-dominant hand.

Disqualifiers

None

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Physical Activity Self-efficacy (PAS) intervention

    Behavioral

    The PAS intervention will be a web-based intervention to address the unique barriers to physical activity in adults with obesity, based on self-efficacy theory and effective behavioral change techniques. Self-efficacy is specified as a mediating psychological variable in the conceptual model for the promotion of physical activity. Self-efficacy refers to domain-specific beliefs (e.g., job-, transport-, domestic-, leisure-related physical activity) about their ability to execute differing levels of performance given situational demands. There is a rich literature on the importance of targeting self-efficacy as a modifiable mediating variable in PA-promoting interventions. Also, the PAS intervention will consist of effective behavioral change techniques (e.g., action planning, teach to use prompts/cues, goal setting, etc.).

Treatment groups

30 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Physical Activity Self-efficacy (PAS) groupActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Usual Care (UC) groupNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

the feasibility of implementing the PAS intervention (e.g., recruitment rate, eligibility rate) for adults with obesity recruited from a local weight management center in the USA.

The feasibility of implementing the PAS online intervention for adults with obesity recruited from a local weight management center in the USA will be assessed with descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics will include (a) recruitment rate, (b) eligibility rate, (c) consent rate, (d) participation rates, and (e) retention rates.

Time frame
By Week 7
2

the acceptability of implementing the PAS intervention (e.g., engagement, accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity) for adults with obesity recruited from a local weight management center in the USA.

The acceptability of implementing the PAS online intervention for adults with obesity recruited from a local weight management center in the USA will be assessed with descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics will include acceptability of the PAS intervention (e.g., engagement behavior, subjective experience) and acceptability of accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity.

Time frame
By Week 7
3

a preliminary effect size estimate for each direct effect depicted in the conceptual model for the PAS online intervention.

Within 7 days after the W1 and W3 survey battery, participants will be asked to enter a code into the PAS intervention website in order to start wearing a physical activity monitor for the next consecutive 7 days. They will be instructed to wear a research-grade accelerometer, ActiGraph wGT3X-BT, on their waist. The primary measure of physical activity in this study will be the average minutes per day of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) based on both widely accepted recommendations for health-enhancing physical activity. Instruments designed to measure the acceptability of accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity and self-reported physical activity will also be included in the W1 and W3 physical activity monitoring.

Time frame
By Week 14

Secondary outcomes

1

Self-efficacy to engage

After completion of the introductory challenges, PAS participants will be asked at W2 to respond to the following item: How confident are you in your current ability to get yourself to complete at least 24 post-introductory challenges within the next four weeks?

Time frame
By Week 7
2

Physical activity self-efficacy

Physical activity self-efficacy will be measured from participants at W1, W2, and W3 with the physical activity self-efficacy scale. The 48-item scale is a modified version of the exercise self-efficacy scale.

Time frame
By Week 3, By Week 7, By Week 14
3

Self-efficacy to regulate physical activity

Self-efficacy to regulate physical activity will be measured from participants at W1, W2, and W3 with the self-efficacy to regulate physical activity scale. The 13-item scale is a modified version of the barriers self-efficacy scale.

Time frame
By Week 3, By Week 7, By Week 14

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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Binghamton University

Lead sponsor

Lehigh University

Collaborator

Ascension Health

Collaborator