Motivational Interviewing for Increasing Physical Activity

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Blood pressure, Heart condition

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Moving, Male, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help African American women become more active through motivational interviewing, a type of therapy. The main goal is to determine if teaching these women to support each other's exercise habits will increase their long-term activity levels. Participants will either receive training and support through interviews and newsletters or join focus groups to share their experiences. This trial suits African American women who have not been exercising much recently and are ready to start, especially those who can partner with another woman in a similar situation. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to actively contribute to research that could enhance community health and well-being.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are currently taking medication for blood pressure or a heart condition.

What prior data suggests that this motivational interviewing technique is safe?

Research has shown that motivational interviewing is a safe and effective method for helping people change their habits. Studies suggest it can slightly increase exercise levels. This approach involves supportive conversations to enhance motivation and commitment to change. These studies report no negative effects from using motivational interviewing. By focusing on kindness, understanding, and empowerment, it offers a safe and positive experience for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Motivational Interviewing approach for increasing physical activity because, unlike traditional exercise programs that often rely on standardized routines and external motivation, this method focuses on personalized conversations to inspire internal motivation. The technique uses culturally-appropriate peer-based support, particularly tailored for African American women, which is a unique aspect not commonly found in standard fitness interventions. By fostering a supportive community and encouraging personal empowerment, this approach aims to create sustainable lifestyle changes rather than temporary fixes.

What evidence suggests that Motivational Interviewing might be an effective treatment for increasing physical activity in African American women?

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in increasing physical activity. Research has shown that motivational interviewing can help people become more active and reduce sitting time. Studies have found that this approach might slightly increase physical activity levels. It encourages those uncertain about changing their habits, providing a gentle push to get moving. While the increase in activity might not be large, it offers a promising way to help people make healthier choices. Participants in this trial will join different intervention groups to assess the impact of motivational interviewing combined with other components. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lorna H. McNeill, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for African American women aged 18-65 who are currently not very active, can team up with a friend or family member to join the study, and are ready to start exercising. They must be able to read English at a sixth-grade level and attend weekend trainings. Women on certain medications or with physical limitations that affect exercise cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Identify a sedentary AA female (i.e., non-intimate family member or friend) with whom they can enroll in the study

You can read English at a level similar to a sixth-grader, as tested by the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM).

Have a home address where information can be mailed and working telephone.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant during the study period

Thinking about moving to a location outside the greater Houston area during the study period

I cannot attend the CAPMI sessions with my partner.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Tests

Participants complete baseline tests including questionnaires, walking test, and receive pedometers or accelerometers

1 week

Intervention

Participants engage in training sessions and weekly activities with a partner to support physical activity

12 weeks

2 in-person sessions, weekly phone calls

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity and mood, and complete end-of-study assessments

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Motivational Interviewing

Trial Overview The study aims to understand why some African American women don't exercise much and if teaching them how to support each other's exercise habits can help increase their activity levels. It involves interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, newsletters about physical activity (PA), and motivational interviewing training.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group 2 Active Control 2 Interventions

Interview + PA Newsletter

Group II: Intervention Group 1 Active Control 4 Interventions

CAPMI Intervention: Training + Weekly Partner Questionnaire + Interview + PA Newsletter

Group III: Focus Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Qualitative interviews examining social support for PA conducted with African American (AA) women recruited from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church located in Houston used to design Culturally-Appropriate Peer-based Motivational Interviewing (CAPMI) intervention.

Motivational Interviewing is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Motivational Interviewing for:

• Substance Use Disorders
• Mental Health Conditions

Approved in European Union as Motivational Interviewing for:

• Addiction Treatment
• Behavioral Health Interventions

Approved in Canada as Motivational Interviewing for:

• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Mental Health Counseling

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38986547/

Effectiveness of behavioural interventions with motivational ... The totality of evidence suggests that although interventions with motivational interviewing increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour, no ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S141335552400577X

Physical therapist-delivered motivational interviewing and ... Physical therapist-delivered MI likely increased physical activity slightly (SMD 0.21, 95 % CI -0.05, 0.47) when compared to minimal intervention; however the ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8200683/

Motivational Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Approach for ... Motivational interviewing (MI) is a technique that has been specifically developed to help motivate ambivalent patients to change their behavior.

4. bmj.com bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2023-078713/rr

Effectiveness of behavioural interventions with motivational ... The study clearly shows that motivational therapy is helpful in decreasing sedentary behaviour and increasing incidence of physical activity.

5. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/jbisrir/fulltext/2012/10421/effectiveness_of_interventions_using_motivational.2.aspx

Effectiveness of Interventions using Motivational... : JBI ... The available literature suggests that MI has the potential to improve the quality of health, nutrition and physical activity counselling.5–7 A systematic ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11751405/

Physical therapist-delivered motivational interviewing and ... Physical therapist-delivered MI likely increased physical activity slightly (SMD 0.21, 95 % CI -0.05, 0.47) when compared to minimal ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033062023000099

Using motivational interviewing and brief action planning ... Motivational interviewing involves four processes conducted in a climate of compassion, acceptance, partnership, and empowerment. First, “engaging” (or ...

8. bmj.com bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2023-078713

Effectiveness of behavioural interventions with motivational ... Integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy can increase physical activity and improve health of adult ambulatory ...

9. physio-pedia.com physio-pedia.com/Motivational_Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person's own motivation and commitment to change.