Walking Programs for Physical Activity in Rural Communities

Overseen By Cynthia K Perry, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2

Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Severe hearing loss, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 24 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores two methods to boost physical activity in rural communities through walking programs. One group will join a standard walking program (Step It Up!), while the other will add a civic engagement activity to enhance community walkability (Combined: Step It Up! plus Civic Engagement). Researchers aim to determine which approach increases physical activity more effectively. Individuals who do not exercise regularly, can walk for at least 20 minutes, and live near a participating rural library may be suitable candidates. As a Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial, this research seeks to understand how these programs function and measure their effectiveness in an initial group, offering participants a chance to contribute to innovative community health solutions.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on physical activity, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that both walking programs under study are safe. The "Step It Up!" program is already recognized for promoting increased activity. Studies have found that these walking programs help people move more without causing harm. They are designed to be safe and effective, encouraging more walking in local communities.

The combined program adds a community involvement aspect, focusing on improving neighborhoods for walking. No evidence suggests that this community component adds any risk. Instead, it aims to make walking easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Overall, walking programs like these are usually easy for people to follow. They aim to improve health through regular, moderate exercise. Participants in past studies reported no major negative side effects, making them a safe option for increasing physical activity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these walking programs because they offer a fresh approach to boosting physical activity in rural communities. Unlike traditional exercise programs that might focus solely on individual routines, the "Combined" program pairs a weekly walking group with a civic engagement initiative, the Change Club. This innovative combination aims to not only improve personal fitness but also foster community involvement by enhancing local walkability. By addressing physical activity and community infrastructure simultaneously, these programs have the potential to create lasting health and lifestyle improvements.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for increasing physical activity in rural communities?

Research has shown that group walking programs like "Step It Up!" help people in rural areas become more active. Studies have found that participants in these programs often become fitter and stronger. In this trial, one group will participate in the "Step It Up!" program, which emphasizes regular walking. Another group will combine "Step It Up!" with the "Change Club," a civic engagement component aimed at improving community walkability. This combined approach not only encourages regular walking but also involves participants in community projects, potentially enhancing motivation and effectiveness by creating a more walk-friendly environment. Early results suggest that adding community involvement might increase the program's effectiveness. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Cynthia K Perry, PhD

Principal Investigator

Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who live in a rural community served by the local library, can walk for at least 20 minutes, and are currently inactive (less than 3 days of physical activity per week). It's not for those with severe hearing or vision impairments that prevent communication, those already in lifestyle programs, or individuals with cognitive impairment.

Inclusion Criteria

I can walk for at least 20 minutes without assistance.

Inactive (defined as engaging in physical activity <3 days per week)

Living within the rural community served by the local library

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with cognitive impairment.

I cannot communicate well due to severe hearing, speech, or vision problems.

Participation/intention to participate in other lifestyle modification program(s)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a group-based weekly walking program, with some also participating in a civic engagement program

24 months

Weekly visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity, cardiovascular fitness, and collective efficacy

24 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Combined (Step It Up! plus Civic Engagement)
• Walking only (Step It Up!)

Trial Overview The study is testing two approaches to increase physical activity: one group will participate in a walking program called 'Step It Up!', while another will do 'Step It Up!' plus civic engagement activities. The effectiveness of these methods will be compared based on changes in participants' physical activity levels.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Combined (Step It Up! plus Change Club) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

A group-based, weekly walking program (Step It Up) where participants walk for up to 45 minutes. Participants also spend 30 minutes each week in a civic engagement program (the Change Club) improving walkability in the community

Group II: Walking only (Step It Up!) Active Control 1 Intervention

A group-based, weekly walking program (Step It Up) where participants walk for up to 45 minutes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Health and Science University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

Texas A&M University

Collaborator

Trials

156

Recruited

28,900+

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Collaborator

Trials

33

Recruited

16,700+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05677906

Rural Libraries Promoting Walking and Walkability in Their ... Compare the effects of a group-based walking program with a combined group-based plus civic engagement program on physical activity, cardiovascular fitness and ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36058913/

Evaluation of a civic engagement approach to catalyze built ... Methods: This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the Change Club (CC) intervention, a civic engagement intervention for built environment ...

3. nnlm.gov nnlm.gov/training/class/promoting-walking-health-rural-communities

Promoting Walking for Health in Rural Communities Eighteen rural Oregon libraries agreed to be part of a study comparing the effects of a group walking program, Step It Up versus Step It Up plus a civic ...

4. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-16788-0

Rural libraries implementing walking groups or walking ... This study will build the capacity of rural libraries to implement evidence-based walking programs as well as other health promotion programs in their ...

5. cdc.gov cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2020/20_0231.htm

An Evidence-Based Walking Program in Oregon ... Group and/or supervised exercise has resulted in greater improvements in primary outcomes (eg, fitness, muscle strength) compared with ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10544451/

Rural libraries implementing walking groups or walking ... This study will build the capacity of rural libraries to implement evidence-based walking programs as well as other health promotion programs in their ...

7. cdc.gov cdc.gov/physicalactivity/walking/call-to-action/pdf/status-report.pdf

Status Report for Step It Up! The Surgeon General's Call to ... This section describes the most recent prevalence estimates of physical activity and walking in the United States and shows how physical activity levels need to ...

8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538433/

Step It Up! - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH Social support for physical activity: establishing a community-based walking group program to increase physical activity among youth and adults. An action ...

9. digitalcommons.pittstate.edu digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&context=dnp

Step It Up Macks Creek, MO: A Community Walking Program The study results showed a positive change in physical activity, measured by step counts, among participants. A community walking program can ...

10. contentcdn.eacefitness.com contentcdn.eacefitness.com/assets/about-ace/advocacy/Walking_Toolkit_Pro.pdf

walking toolkit It has been designed to help fitness professionals “Step It Up!” and lead safe and effective walking programs, and become advocates for more walkable ...