Robot-based Intervention for Sedentary Lifestyle

Overseen By Matthieu Boisgontier, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Ottawa

Disqualifiers: Neurological, Psychiatric, Motor impairment, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a new robotic training task, called the jog or ground go no go task, can help older adults become more active by altering their automatic reactions to physical activity. Participants will use a robotic device to engage with a virtual task that subtly encourages physical activity. The goal is to assess whether this approach effectively shifts behaviors toward being less sedentary. Older adults who can walk and communicate in English may be suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance physical activity in older adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this robot-based intervention is safe for older adults?

Research has shown that digital health tools can help people become more active and reduce sitting time. This study uses a fun and engaging activity called the "jog or ground go no go task" to encourage movement. Conducted in a safe setting with a robotic device, this task provides an immersive experience.

Specific safety data for this task is not available, but its focus on habit change rather than physical strain suggests it is likely safe. Participants will engage in activities like moving a virtual character, which involves minimal risk as it does not require intense exercise.

This study is in an early phase called "Not Applicable," which assesses whether the task functions as intended and is safe to use. Although previous studies do not directly provide safety data for this task, its design indicates it should be safe for most people, particularly since it does not involve strenuous activity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a novel robot-based approach to combat sedentary lifestyles. Unlike traditional methods, which may focus on exercise programs or lifestyle coaching, this intervention uses a virtual task to subtly influence behavior. Participants interact with a virtual avatar and make quick decisions based on visual cues, potentially altering their responses to physical activity and sedentary behavior. This innovative technique could pave the way for new strategies that engage users in a more interactive and subconscious manner, offering a fresh perspective on encouraging active lifestyles.

What evidence suggests that this robot-based intervention is effective for increasing physical activity in older adults?

Studies have shown that tasks like the Go/No-Go task, used in this trial, help people better control impulsive actions. This control is important because it links to increased physical activity. Research suggests that combining physical and mental exercises can improve this control in older adults, aiding them in leading more active lives. In this trial, participants in the Interventional Group will perform a version of the task with visual stimuli biased towards physical activity, while the Control Group will experience random visual stimuli. A robotic device enhances engagement, potentially maintaining participant interest and involvement. Early findings indicate that focusing on automatic behaviors, such as natural tendencies towards activity, can change behavior patterns. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kayne Park, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Ottawa

Matthieu P Boisgontier, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Ottawa

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults who lead a sedentary lifestyle and are interested in increasing their physical activity. Participants should be willing to engage with a robotic device designed to change automatic biases towards being more active. There's no mention of specific inclusion or exclusion criteria, so it seems open to all older adults meeting the general description.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 60 years old or older.

I can walk.

Able to communicate in English

Exclusion Criteria

I have difficulty moving my arms.

Unable to understand task instructions

I have a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric condition.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants perform the JOGGNG Task using the Kinarm Endpoint Laboratory to retrain automatic bias towards physical activity and sedentary behaviours.

4 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity using accelerometers and questionnaires.

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person), 1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• The jog or ground go no go task

Trial Overview

The study is testing a new robot-based training task that aims to shift automatic biases from sedentary behavior towards increased physical activity. The effectiveness of this intervention will be measured by tracking participants' daily movement with an accelerometer, assessing their physical abilities, and gathering their perceptions through questionnaires.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Interventional Group: Responses Biased towards Visual Stimulus Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Successfully recruited individuals will be performing the JOGGNG Task on the Kinarm Endpoint Laboratory. This task requires participants to quickly make a reaching movement to manipulate a virtual avatar that is jogging across a field. During this, a frisbee will move towards the avatar and will tilt clockwise or counterclockwise. Participants have been instructed to either reach quickly to grab the frisbee from the air during clockwise tilts or to not move during counterclockwise tilts. This tilt/movement associated is reversed to control for potential bias in tilt angle and movement. An image of physical activity or sedentary behaviour will appear inside of the frisbee but participants are not told that it is associated with any of the tilts. For the Interventional Group, the tilt associated with movement will have an image of physical activity appear 90% of the time and the tilt associated with no movement will have an image of sedentary behaviour 90% of the time.

Group II: Control Group: Responses Randomly Assigned to Visual Stimulus Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Recruited participants will be performing the JOGGNG Task on the Kinarm Endpoint Laboratory. This task requires participants to quickly make a reaching movement to manipulate a virtual avatar that is jogging across a field. During this, a frisbee will move towards the avatar and will tilt clockwise or counterclockwise. Participants have been instructed to either reach quickly to grab the frisbee from the air during clockwise tilts or to not move during counterclockwise tilts. This tilt/movement associated is reversed to control for potential bias in tilt angle and movement. An image of physical activity or sedentary behaviour will appear inside of the frisbee but participants are not told that it is associated with any of the tilts. For the Control Group, the tilt associated with movement will have an image of physical activity appear 50% of the time and the tilt associated with no movement will have an image of sedentary behaviour 50% of the time.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Ottawa

Lead Sponsor

Trials

231

Recruited

267,000+

Perley Health

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

40+

Mitacs

Industry Sponsor

Trials

46

Recruited

5,200+

Banting Research Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

40+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The multicomponent technology intervention significantly reduced daily sedentary time by an average of 58.7 minutes per day among 40 overweight university employees over a 12-week period, indicating its efficacy in promoting physical activity.

Participants engaged well with the intervention, using the provided tools like the pedal machine and online program, which suggests that such technology-based approaches could be effective in reducing sedentary behavior in workplace settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multicomponent intervention to reduce daily sedentary time: a randomised controlled trial. Carr, LJ., Karvinen, K., Peavler, M., et al.[2022]

The STand Up Frequently From Stroke (STUFFS) intervention, which encourages individuals to replace sedentary time with standing and walking, was feasible and well-received by participants, with 89% satisfaction and high retention rates (94.1% completion).

Participants experienced a significant reduction in sedentary time by an average of 54.2 minutes per day post-intervention, along with improvements in walking speed, cognitive function, and quality of life, indicating positive preliminary effects of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Feasibility and Longitudinal Effects of a Home-Based Sedentary Behavior Change Intervention After Stroke. Ezeugwu, VE., Manns, PJ.[2019]

A review of 26 studies found that interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behavior in adults were categorized as very promising (39%), quite promising (21%), and non-promising (39%), with worksite-based interventions being the most common.

The most effective strategies included environmental restructuring and self-monitoring techniques, suggesting that future interventions should focus on modifying environments and enhancing self-regulatory skills to reduce sedentary behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How to reduce sitting time? A review of behaviour change strategies used in sedentary behaviour reduction interventions among adults. Gardner, B., Smith, L., Lorencatto, F., et al.[2023]

In a study of 12 non-ambulatory stroke survivors, robot-assisted treadmill walking with conventional parameters resulted in low perceived exertion and insufficient cardiovascular stress, indicating that the exercise intensity may be too low for effective rehabilitation.

Reducing robotic assistance from 100% to 60% did not significantly increase exercise intensity, suggesting that even with less assistance, the activity may still not adequately challenge the cardiorespiratory system of these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological responses and perceived exertion during robot-assisted treadmill walking in non-ambulatory stroke survivors. Lefeber, N., De Keersmaecker, E., Henderix, S., et al.[2021]

Using a VirZoom VR exercise bike (vBike) led to significantly higher physical activity levels, measured by pedal revolution counts, compared to both an exergaming bike (eBike) and a traditional stationary bike (tBike) in a study with 48 college students.

Participants reported lower perceived exertion while using the vBike compared to the tBike, suggesting that VR exercise may provide a more enjoyable and less intense workout experience, which could encourage more people to engage in physical activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effects of Virtual Reality Exercise Biking on College Students' Physical Responses. Zeng, N., Liu, W., Pope, ZC., et al.[2023]

Physical activity interventions are effective in increasing activity levels among healthy inactive adults, with a moderate effect size (d = 0.32) and maintaining behavior change over 6 months (d = 0.21) based on a systematic review of 26 studies involving 2,346 participants.

Sedentary behavior interventions were not effective, and the review identified specific behavior change techniques (BCTs) that contributed to the success of physical activity interventions, such as 'Biofeedback' and 'Action planning', while also noting a significant gap in fidelity measurement across studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are physical activity interventions for healthy inactive adults effective in promoting behavior change and maintenance, and which behavior change techniques are effective? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Howlett, N., Trivedi, D., Troop, NA., et al.[2023]

In a pilot study with 12 healthy college students, using a VR-based exercise bike (VirZoom) resulted in significantly higher self-efficacy and enjoyment compared to traditional stationary biking, suggesting it may be a more motivating exercise option.

Despite no significant differences in blood pressure changes between the two exercise methods, participants reported lower perceived exertion during VR biking, indicating that VR may make exercise feel easier and more enjoyable.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effect of Virtual Reality Exercise Bike Games on College Students' Physiological and Psychological Outcomes. Zeng, N., Pope, Z., Gao, Z.[2018]

In a study involving 12 subjects with motor incomplete spinal cord injury, robotic-assisted treadmill walking resulted in lower metabolic costs and reduced muscle activity compared to therapist-assisted walking, suggesting that robotic devices can enhance locomotor training efficiency.

When subjects exerted maximum effort during robotic assistance, the differences in metabolic costs were less pronounced, indicating that while robotic support is beneficial, increased effort can alter muscle activity patterns and metabolic demands.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Metabolic costs and muscle activity patterns during robotic- and therapist-assisted treadmill walking in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury. Israel, JF., Campbell, DD., Kahn, JH., et al.[2022]

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