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.

You will be compensated for your time. Scroll all the way down (past the blue bar) for more information, and use the contact form on the right to get in touch.

Palabras clave: smartphone app, physical activity, older adults

Sitios de estudio

Local Los Angeles Area (click below to view all study sites) 00000

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  • Men & Women
Age icon
65 - 84
 

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Duración del ensayo

  • 4 months

Número de visitas

  • 3

Prescripción
    Ninguno
Procedimiento

  • Surveys

  • Orientation

  • Walking task

  • Activity monitor

  • Interview

  • Use smartphone app

Compensation

  • Compensation is available for successful completion of study visits.

Cobertura de gastos médicos
    Ninguno

Why participate?

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Join research study @USC testing smartphone app to help people 65-84 years of age stay active and healthy. Cash compensation available.

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:

  1. Assess the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of the app suite.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
Findings will be relevant to other efforts in developing mobile health technology for older adults. 

Equipo del Programa

Photohandler
Investigador Principal
Stacey Schepens Niemiec, PhD, OTR/L

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

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