New study at USC tests smartphone app to help older adults stay active. Join today!
Objetivo
Engaging in even modest physical activity improves health and well-being, such as decreasing cholesterol and improving mood. However, despite the benefits of physical activity, less than 10% of older adults meet national physical activity guidelines. Health-related smartphone applications (apps) provide a promising approach to increase older individuals' physical activity. The purpose of this study is to develop, test, and refine a physical activity-tracking smartphone app that is designed to help older adults improve their physical activity by helping them overcome common barriers they may experience. For example, some older people might have low self-confidence or not know how to be more active. The app has a number of features to address issues like these. For instance, some users of the app will receive confidence-boosting messages about doing activity in older adulthood, whereas other users will receive tips throughout the day about how to break up how much time one spends sitting.
To participate in this study, we are looking for older adults (65–84 years of age) who own smartphones, reside in the Los Angeles area, and are not very physically active.
Palabras clave: smartphone app, physical activity, older adults
Sitios de estudio
Local Los Angeles Area (click below to view all study sites) 00000
- Men & Women
Lo sentimos, pero este ensayo ya no está inscribiendo voluntarios.
¿Qué hay involucrado?
-
4 months
-
3
-
Ninguno
-
Surveys
-
Orientation
-
Walking task
-
Activity monitor
-
Interview
-
Use smartphone app
-
Compensation is available for successful completion of study visits.
-
Ninguno
Elegibilidad
Criterios de inclusión
- 65–84 years old
- English-speaking
- reside in LA area
- cognitively healthy
- smartphone owner for at least 1 month
- less than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week
- able to walk
- able to safely participate in physical activity
- able to reliably operate a smartphone
- available by phone for study duration
About This Study
Our team will develop, test, and refine a physical activity-tracking app and specialty features designed to help older adults by more physically active. This suite is different from generic fitness apps because it blends behavior change techniques with three specialty features based on well-researched theories. Study aims are:
- Assess the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of the app suite.
- Conduct a pilot test to examine key performance characteristics of the physical activity-tracking core app and its three specialty features. We will randomly assign 100 under-active older adults to one of eight combinations of features. At the end of a four-month study period, we will examine changes in various physical activity-related outcomes. In addition, we will examine participants' use of and satisfaction with the app
- Integrate the information we gather to determine how the app should be modified and improved. In phase one of the study, three groups of five older adults were formed to test the physical activity-tracking app and one of three specialty features for a two-week period, followed by a focus group to learn about the older adults' experiences. In phase two, approximately 100 participants will be randomly assigned to one of eight groups that include various combinations of specialty features with the physical activity tracker, for the purpose of pilot testing the app for a four-month period. Testing will occur at the beginning and the end of the four-month intervention period, and will include measurement of physical activity levels, sedentary activity time, self-reported physical activity, and functional mobility.
Equipo del Programa
For questions about this study, contact:
- Dr. Jeanine Blanchard
- USC Chan Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003
- (323) 442-1827
- jeanine@usc.edu
- Dr. Stacey Schepens Niemiec
- USC Chan Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003
- (323) 442-2069
- schepens@usc.edu
Research study materials
We respect your privacy!
Toda la información que usted nos dé será guardada en una base de datos segura y protegida. Toda la información que usted decida compartir se mantendrá de manera confidencial y privada. Lea la Política de Privacidad de la universidad University of Southern California aquí.