Mobile Apps for Increasing Physical Activity

Overseen By Jennifer Krafft, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mississippi State University

Must not be taking: Hypertension medications

Disqualifiers: Substance use disorder, Terminal illness, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different types of writing can boost motivation to exercise. Participants will use a mobile app to either write about their personal values (Values Clarification Mobile Application) or engage in general self-reflection related to physical activity (Self-Reflection Mobile Application). The goal is to determine if focusing on personal values increases motivation to exercise and whether this varies based on factors like mood or stress. Individuals living in the U.S. who own a smartphone and wish to become more active might find this trial suitable.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore new ways to enhance motivation to exercise.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking medications that cause dizziness or feeling faint while standing, you may not be eligible to participate in this trial.

What prior data suggests that these mobile applications are safe for increasing physical activity?

Research has shown that mobile apps designed to boost physical activity are generally safe. They have successfully encouraged healthy habits like exercise and diet. Specifically, 13 out of 14 studies found that these apps helped people become more active. The studies reported no major safety issues or negative effects from using these apps.

Most people find these digital tools easy to use and continue using them for a long time, indicating they are well-liked. Since they focus on safe activities like writing and self-reflection, these apps are unlikely to cause harm. Designed to motivate and engage, they offer a safe choice for those looking to improve their fitness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these mobile app treatments for increasing physical activity because they offer a novel approach to motivation through daily self-reflection and values clarification. Unlike traditional exercise programs that might focus solely on setting physical goals or prescribed routines, these apps engage users in daily writing prompts that encourage deeper personal reflection on their values and motivation related to physical activity. This method could enhance psychological flexibility and emotional awareness, potentially leading to more sustainable behavior change. Additionally, the convenience of a mobile app allows for easy integration into daily life, making it accessible and user-friendly for a wide audience.

What evidence suggests that this trial's mobile apps could be effective for increasing physical activity?

This trial will compare two mobile applications designed to increase physical activity. Research has shown that mobile health apps can help people become more active. A review of several studies found that using these apps can lead to small-to-large improvements in overall physical activity and muscle strength. Other research indicates that these apps can help people spend less time sitting and improve their overall well-being. Apps with game-like features have been particularly effective in increasing daily steps and reducing body mass index (BMI). While results can vary, evidence suggests that these apps can encourage people to move more and improve their health. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer Krafft, PhD

Principal Investigator

Mississippi State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in increasing their physical activity. Participants should be willing to use mobile apps designed to motivate exercise through personal values clarification or self-reflection. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need a smartphone and the ability to engage in physical activities.

Inclusion Criteria

Have reliable internet access

Living in the United States

Own a device that can receive text messages

Exclusion Criteria

Not having reliable internet access

Already completing 150 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity most weeks

Report any condition that would preclude adherence to the intervention protocol (e.g. current or past substance use disorder or psychiatric hospitalization, terminal illness diagnosis)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants use a mobile app for values clarification or self-reflection for 28 days

4 weeks

Daily app usage

Post-treatment

Participants complete a post-treatment survey to assess outcomes

1 week

1 survey (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity and motivation

4 weeks

1 survey (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Self-Reflection Mobile Application
• Values Clarification Mobile Application

Trial Overview The study is testing two mobile app interventions: one that helps users clarify their personal values related to physical activity, and another that prompts general self-reflection. The goal is to see if focusing on personal values can boost motivation more effectively than just thinking about oneself generally.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Values Clarification Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will respond to values clarification writing prompts related to physical exercise once a day over 28 days in addition to a short daily survey. In each session, one writing prompt will be randomly presented from a pool of four categories: hierarchical, conditional, distinction, and perspective-taking. The survey inquires about time spent doing light, moderate, and vigorous exercise the day before, in addition to time spent watching television, using the computer, and sitting. It also includes the 24 item Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory adapted for ecological momentary assessment and questions asking participants to rate the extent to which they currently feel 8 emotions, their current motivation to exercise, and their stress yesterday. The writing prompt and survey are estimated to take 10 minutes to complete daily. Participants will have the option to review additional educational content about values and their previous written responses.

Group II: Self-Reflection Condition Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants in this condition will be asked to respond to one randomly selected self-reflection prompt about physical activity from a library of 28 prompts once a day over 28 days \[4 weeks\]. As with the experimental condition, participants will also complete the same daily survey which includes questions about how many minutes they spent doing light, moderate, and vigorous exercise the day before, in addition to how many hours they spent watching television, using the computer, and sitting. The survey also contains the 24 item Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory adapted for ecological momentary assessment and questions asking participants to rate the extent to which they are currently feeling 8 emotions, their current motivation to exercise, and their stress the day before. This is estimated to take 10 minutes to complete daily. Participants will have the option to review additional educational content about values clarification and their previous written responses.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mississippi State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

8

Recruited

3,300+

Association for contextual behavioral science

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

140+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11612604/

An Evaluation of the Effect of App-Based Exercise ... This study contributes to the understanding of digital health interventions in exercise science, suggesting that personalized, app-based ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11094610/

Effectiveness of mHealth App–Based Interventions for ... Our meta-analysis suggests that mHealth app–based interventions may yield small-to-large beneficial effects on TPA, SB, BMI, agility, and muscle strength in ...

3. jmir.org jmir.org/2019/11/e14343/

Effects of Mobile Health App Interventions on Sedentary ... Conclusions: mHealth app interventions have the potential to promote changes in sedentary time and PA over the short term, but the results did ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537024003778

Effect of digital health applications with or without ... The use of gamification in apps compared to non-gamified app interventions resulted in increased physical activity (steps per day), as well as decreased body ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1281323/full

Exercise or lie down? The impact of fitness app use on ... Long-term use of fitness app will improve people' s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive status and promote their wellbeing.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9931267/

The use of mobile apps and fitness trackers to promote ... To examine i) the use of mobile apps and fitness trackers in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic to support health behaviors; ii) the use of COVID-19 apps.

7. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11301-025-00537-1

Continued usage of mobile fitness applications Our study systematically reviews the antecedents and outcomes of mobile fitness applications' continued usage, offering both theoretical insights and practical ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7664696/

Using Mobile Applications to Increase Physical Activity 13 of the 14 studies reported that applications were effective in increasing physical activity and healthy habits as dietary behaviour.

9. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/389706976_Mobile_applications_physical_activity_and_health_promotion

Mobile applications, physical activity, and health promotion Background This paper studies the role of mobile applications in promoting physical activity and user loyalty to them.