Internet Intervention Promotes Physical Activity in Sedentary Older Adults

Internet Intervention Promotes Physical Activity

This study evaluated the efficacy of a 12-week Internet intervention to help sedentary older adults adopt and maintain an exercise regimen. A total of 368 men and women over 55 years of age (x = 60.3; SD 4.9 ) were recruited and screened on line. They randomized into treatment and control groups and assessed at pre-test, 12 weeks, and at six months.

The multivariate model was significant at posttest (p = .001; large effect size) and at six months (p = .001; medium effect size). At posttest, intervention participation showed significant improvement on 13 of 14 outcome measures compared to the control group. At six months, treatment group participants were found to maintain large gains compared to the Ctrl participants on all 14 measures.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Exercise; Sedentary Older Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Internet exercise program

Detailed Description

Based on the treatment group users self reported fitness level, activity goals, and self-identified barriers to exercise, the program helped users select exercise activities in the areas of endurance, flexibility, strengthening, and balance enhancement. They returned weekly for automated video and text support and education, with the option to change or increase in their exercise plan, and on-going problem solving to overcome barriers to exercise.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 368
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Oregon
    • Eugene, Oregon, United States, 97401
      • ORCAS

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 55 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• > 54 years of age;
• < 61 minutes of exercise per week;
• internet connection; email address

Exclusion Criteria:

• too young;
• too active;
• no web access;
• no email

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: program visits; visits to intervention program	Other: Internet exercise program; 12 voluntary weekly visits to website

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cardiovascular exercise	Self report: minutes/week	Baseline-6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Psycho-social measures (attitudes, knowledge, self efficacy, intentions)	Self rated survey items	Baseline - 6 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Oregon Center for Applied Science, Inc.
• Collaborators: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: February 1, 2006
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2006
• Study Completion (Actual): October 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): April 17, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): April 17, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2012
• Last Verified: December 1, 2006

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: physical activity; older adults; sedentary; Internet; internet intervention; multi-week
• Other Study ID Numbers: SBIR51 Sr. Exercise; R44AG020002 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)