Motivation for Exercise: A Mood-Based Focus

November 25, 2025 updated by: Michael Otto, Boston University Charles River Campus
The goal of this study is to assess the effects of an exercise-related video on exercise motivation and adherence. Specifically, the researchers are studying whether an exercise-for-mood video increase levels of exercise motivation as compared to an exercise-for-fitness video.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is designed to evaluate two interventions for exercise motivation: an exercise-for-mood video and an exercise-for-fitness video. After screening to determine eligibility, participants will complete two virtual study appointments, scheduled 10-20 days apart. In Phase 1, participants will first consent to the study and complete the DASS-21, ASI-3, and EMI-2. Participants will then complete an interview-format 7-day Physical Activity Recall (7-day PAR) about their exercise over the past week. Participants are then randomized to either the Fitness or Mood video by the researcher and are assigned to watch the video while on the Zoom meeting, approximately 11 minutes long. After the video, participants complete two short questionnaires about the credibility and usefulness of the video they watched. Finally, participants are briefed on safe exercise habits and given a goal of moderate exercise 4 times per week.

In the Phase 2 appointment, participants complete the EMI-2 and the 7-day PAR about their exercise over the past week. Participants are then debriefed on the intent of the study.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

48

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
        • Boston University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Current PS101 student at Boston University
  • A score of 14 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
  • Able to read English to provide informed consent
  • Familiarity with a computer keyboard and mouse or a touch screen device
  • Access to Zoom video conferencing software

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Under age 18
  • Known conditions prohibiting exercise adoption as identified by risk scores on the PAR-Q (a score of "yes" on one or more items)
  • Presence of anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa, or recent (6 month) suicidal ideation
  • Score of 13 or lower on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Exercise for Mood video
The Exercise for Mood intervention is an approximately 11-minute video shown to participants which presents a mood-based motivational frame for exercise and physical activity. Video content focuses on discussions related to the immediate mood benefits from exercise, longer-term cognitive and mental health benefits of exercise, effects of positive affect during exercise, and mood-centered strategies for engaging in regular physical activity, including exercising in diverse locations, exercising with friends, and exercising with music or audiobooks.
Other: Exercise for Mood video
As per arm of the same name
Active Comparator: Exercise for Fitness video
The Exercise for Fitness intervention is an approximately 11-minute video shown to participants which presents a fitness-based motivational frame for exercise and physical activity. Video content focuses on discussions related to the physical health effects of exercise, including cardiovascular health, increased calorie burning, and overall physical wellbeing. The video also includes recommendations for diversity of exercise, balancing cardiovascular and strength-training activities.
Other: Exercise for Fitness video
As per arm of the same name

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Exercise Motivation
Time Frame: Assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart.
Exercise Motivations Inventory (EMI-2)
Assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Exercise adherence
Time Frame: Retrospective accounting of the past 7 days, assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart.
Adherence to an exercise goal of moderate-intensity exercise 4 times per week. Evaluated using the 7-day Physical Activity Recall (7-day PAR).
Retrospective accounting of the past 7 days, assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart.
Mood During Exercise
Time Frame: Assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart
Mood during most typical, intentional physical activity over the past week, evaluated on the Feeling Scale (FS)
Assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart
Perceived Exertion during Exercise
Time Frame: Assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart
Exertion during most typical, intentional physical activity over the past week, evaluated on the Ratings of Perceived Exertion scale (RPE)
Assessed at Phase 1 appointment and Phase 2 appointment, scheduled 10-20 days apart

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Boston University Charles River Campus

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 15, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 17, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

March 17, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 21, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 22, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

November 26, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 2, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 25, 2025

Last Verified

November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 7628E

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

After publication of primary aims, de-identified data will be eligible for sharing with investigators requesting such data after completion of a valid data-use agreement.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

6 months after publication of the primary outcome.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Investigators with a valid data-use agreement will be able to access the data.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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