Behavior Change Techniques for Physical Inactivity

Overseen By Ashley Goodwin, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwell Health

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

100 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This 12-week trial will test the efficacy of a multi-component, personalized text-message delivered behavior change technique (BCT) intervention to encourage habitual physical activity (defined as regular walking of 1,000 or more steps during a one-hour period on 7 consecutive days according to a personalized walking plan) among care providers of persons with AD/ADRD via the key mechanism of behavior change (MoBC) of automaticity. The main question it aims to answer whether a multi-component, personalized BCT intervention to increase a walking habit of 1,000 steps/day will lead to successful development of habitual walking among 60 percent of caregivers enrolled.

Research Team

Mark Butler, PhD

Principal Investigator

Northwell Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease or related disorders who are not regularly active. They must be willing to follow a personalized walking plan aiming for habitual physical activity, specifically walking.

Inclusion Criteria

Self-report low levels of physical activity or walking

I primarily speak English or Spanish.

Identify as a caregiver (formal/paid or informal/unpaid) for persons with Alzheimer's Disease or Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD)

Exclusion Criteria

Lives outside the United States

Does not own or cannot regularly access a smartphone capable of receiving text messages or accessing the internet

My doctor says it's unsafe for me to participate in walking activities.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive a 12-week, multi-component, personalized BCT intervention to encourage habitual physical activity

12 weeks

Daily text-message interventions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for habit formation and changes in automaticity

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Behavior Change Technique Package

Trial Overview The study tests a behavior change technique delivered through personalized text messages over 12 weeks. It aims to establish regular walking habits (1,000 steps during an hour on consecutive days) in participants.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This will be a 12-week, single-arm, multi-component, personalized BCT intervention. We will provide participants with 4 BCTs daily (Goal Setting, Action Planning, Self-Monitoring, and Prompt/Cue) that have been associated with habit formation theory and development of physical activity habits in prior research.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwell Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

481

Recruited

470,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+