TY - JOUR
T1 - Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention
T2 - a pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)
AU - Thøgersen-ntoumani, C.
AU - Quested, E.
AU - Smith, B. S.
AU - Nicholas, J.
AU - Mcveigh, J.
AU - Fenton, S. A. M.
AU - Stamatakis, E.
AU - Parker, S.
AU - Pereira, G.
AU - Gucciardi, D. F.
AU - Ntoumanis, N.
PY - 2020/4
Y1 - 2020/4
N2 - Walking interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity amongst physically inactive employees. However, despite their promising potential regarding sustainability and scalability, peer-led workplace walking interventions have not been tested. We evaluated a peer-led workplace group walking intervention designed to engage physically inactive employees. A 16-week pilot cluster randomized controlled trial consisted of enhanced (5 worksites; n = 50 participants) and minimal treatment (3 worksites; n = 47) conditions. All participants were provided with a Fitbit Zip and information on health benefits of walking. Enhanced treatment participants had access to a mobile phone app incorporating behavior change techniques, were trained on principles of autonomous motivation, and had a peer leader trained in a motivationally supportive communication style. Feasibility assessments included recruitment and drop-out rates, assessment completion rates, training acceptability (walkers and peer leaders), and intervention acceptability (walkers only). Outcomes assessed included movement-related behaviors (assessed via activPAL devices), cardio-metabolic risk factors, motivation to walk, and well-being, and these measures were taken at baseline and post-intervention. The results supported intervention feasibility. Preliminary efficacy evidence was mixed. Markers of cardio-metabolic risk improved in the enhanced treatment only. Autonomous motivation increased in both conditions. There were no changes in step counts, standing, and sitting time, or well-being. Further fine tuning is needed before a definitive RCT.Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000807257.
AB - Walking interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity amongst physically inactive employees. However, despite their promising potential regarding sustainability and scalability, peer-led workplace walking interventions have not been tested. We evaluated a peer-led workplace group walking intervention designed to engage physically inactive employees. A 16-week pilot cluster randomized controlled trial consisted of enhanced (5 worksites; n = 50 participants) and minimal treatment (3 worksites; n = 47) conditions. All participants were provided with a Fitbit Zip and information on health benefits of walking. Enhanced treatment participants had access to a mobile phone app incorporating behavior change techniques, were trained on principles of autonomous motivation, and had a peer leader trained in a motivationally supportive communication style. Feasibility assessments included recruitment and drop-out rates, assessment completion rates, training acceptability (walkers and peer leaders), and intervention acceptability (walkers only). Outcomes assessed included movement-related behaviors (assessed via activPAL devices), cardio-metabolic risk factors, motivation to walk, and well-being, and these measures were taken at baseline and post-intervention. The results supported intervention feasibility. Preliminary efficacy evidence was mixed. Markers of cardio-metabolic risk improved in the enhanced treatment only. Autonomous motivation increased in both conditions. There were no changes in step counts, standing, and sitting time, or well-being. Further fine tuning is needed before a definitive RCT.Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000807257.
KW - motivational training
KW - peer leader
KW - physical activity
KW - self-determination theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85081363774&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cct.2020.105969
DO - 10.1016/j.cct.2020.105969
M3 - Article
SN - 1551-7144
VL - 91
JO - Contemporary Clinical Trials
JF - Contemporary Clinical Trials
M1 - 105969
ER -