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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Sep;8 Suppl 2(0 2):S267-74.

A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating motivationally matched pedometer feedback to increase physical activity behavior in older adults

Scott J Strath  1 , Ann M Swartz, Sarah J Parker, Nora E Miller, Elizabeth K Grimm, Susan E Cashin
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating motivationally matched pedometer feedback to increase physical activity behavior in older adults

Scott J Strath et al. J Phys Act Health. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Increasing physical activity (PA) levels in older adults represents an important public health challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of combining individualized motivational messaging with pedometer walking step targets to increase PA in previously inactive and insufficiently active older adults.

Methods: In this 12-week intervention study older adults were randomized to 1 of 4 study arms: Group 1--control; Group 2--pedometer 10,000 step goal; Group 3--pedometer step goal plus individualized motivational feedback; or Group 4--everything in Group 3 augmented with biweekly telephone feedback.

Results: 81 participants were randomized into the study, 61 participants completed the study with an average age of 63.8 ± 6.0 years. Group 1 did not differ in accumulated steps/day following the 12-week intervention compared with participants in Group 2. Participants in Groups 3 and 4 took on average 2159 (P < .001) and 2488 (P < .001) more steps/day, respectively, than those in Group 1 after the 12-week intervention.

Conclusion: In this 12-week pilot randomized control trial, a pedometer feedback intervention partnered with individually matched motivational messaging was an effective intervention strategy to significantly increase PA behavior in previously inactive and insufficiently active older adults.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow. Group 1 = Standard Educational Literature; Group 2 = Standard Educational Literature + Pedometer; Group 3 = Motivationally Matched Literature + Pedometer; Group 4 = Motivationally Matched Literature + Pedometer + Phone.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Average physical activity by study group and time point. Group 1 = Standard Educational Literature; Group 2 = Standard Educational Literature + Pedometer; Group 3 = Motivationally Matched Literature + Pedometer; Group 4 = Motivationally Matched Literature + Pedometer + Phone. * Statistically different from Group 1, P < .001. ^ Statistically different from Group 2, P < .001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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