Boosting physical activity with tech, social support, and stress resilience

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Older adults who live alone, report mild cognitive decline, and are currently sedentary will be enrolled and assigned to a tech-enhanced program or a basic program that both include education, goal-setting, and self-monitoring of activity. Participants will use a wearable activity monitor and receive weekly text reminders while researchers measure changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over time. The study also measures social support and stress-resilience to see whether those psychosocial factors change and whether they explain any activity gains. Data collection combines objective activity tracking with questionnaires at baseline and follow-up visits conducted at the study site.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 60 years or older
* Living alone and community dwelling
* Engaging in 60 minutes or less per week of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at screening (based on Exercise Vital Sign Questionnaire)
* Self-reported decline in cognitive functioning
* Self-reported ownership of/willingness to use a smartphone with an iOS or Android operating system (necessary for participants to track their activity using a wearable activity monitor).
* Able to read and speak in English. We hope to offer the intervention in Spanish in the future; however, currently, the study materials are only available in English, and participation will require ability to read and respond to study materials.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Endorsing an item on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), unless a physician's note is provided
* Resting blood pressure greater than 200/110 mmHG as assessed at the baseline study assessment (unless a physician's note is provided)
* Plans to relocate out of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona area in the next 6 months
* Participation in another physical activity, nutrition or weight loss program at time of screening or at any time during the intervention
* Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as determined by either a self-report of receiving a diagnosis of MCI from a health care provider or as assessed by the Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) at the Baseline Session. A score \< 18 is an exclusion criterion.
* Individuals with neurodegenerative (e.g., dementia), developmental (e.g., autism), neurologic (e.g., Parkinson's, epilepsy), or major psychiatric (e.g., bipolar, schizophrenia) diagnoses
* Being previously prescribed one of the 5 approved Alzheimer's medications, including: Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon), Galantamine (Razadyne), Memantine (Namenda), Memantine + Donepezil (Namzaric)
* Score of 9 or higher on the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at the Baseline Session \[scores of 9 and higher are indicative of moderate to severe depression\]
* History of stroke
* Incarcerated individuals (i.e., Prisoners)

Where it's running

• Arizona State University
  Phoenix, Arizona, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Molly Maxfield — Arizona State University
• Study coordinator: Molly Maxfield, PhD
• Email: Molly.Maxfield@asu.edu
• Phone: 602-496-2311

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.