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. 2018 Dec;45(6):957-966.
doi: 10.1177/1090198118775492. Epub 2018 Jun 8.

Physical Activity and Related Psychosocial Outcomes From a Pilot Randomized Trial of an Interactive Voice Response System-Supported Intervention in the Deep South

Dori Pekmezi  1 , Cole Ainsworth  1 , Taylor Holly  1 , Victoria Williams  1 , Rodney Joseph  2 , Kaiying Wang  1 , Laura Q Rogers  1 , Bess Marcus  3 , Renee Desmond  1 , Wendy Demark-Wahnefried  1
Affiliations

Physical Activity and Related Psychosocial Outcomes From a Pilot Randomized Trial of an Interactive Voice Response System-Supported Intervention in the Deep South

Dori Pekmezi et al. Health Educ Behav. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity exerts cancer-protective effects, yet most Americans are inactive, especially in the South, where cancer incidence rates are generally higher. Telephone-based approaches can help overcome physical activity intervention barriers in this region (literacy, costs, lack of transportation/technology, distance from facilities) and can be automated via interactive voice response (IVR) systems for improved reach and cost-effectiveness.

Aims: To evaluate the Deep South IVR-supported Active Lifestyle (DIAL) intervention.

Method: A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted among 63 underactive adults in Birmingham, Alabama, from 2015 to 2017.

Results: Retention was 88.9% at 12 weeks, and ≥75% adherence (IVR contact on at least 63 out of 84 days) was noted among 62.5% of intervention participants. Intervention participants reported larger increases in self-reported minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity from baseline to 12 weeks than the wait-list control arm (median change = 47.5 vs. 5.0 minutes, respectively, p = .09). Moreover, the intervention produced significantly greater increases in physical activity self-regulation ( p < .001) and social support from family ( p = .001) and friends ( p = .009) from baseline to 12 weeks, compared with the wait-list control. Significant decreases in self-reported sleep disturbance also were found in the intervention arm but not among the controls, p < .05. Overall, intervention participants reported being satisfied with the DIAL program (71.4%) and would recommend it to friends (92.9%).

Discussion: Findings support the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the DIAL intervention.

Conclusion: Next steps include intervention refinement in preparation for a fully powered efficacy trial and eventual dissemination to rural counties.

Keywords: cancer prevention; physical activity; telehealth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study flow diagram.
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