eMOTION: Changing unconscious attitudes to boost physical activity

Using Real-Time Data Capture to Examine Implicit Attitudes as Mediators of Physical Activity Adherence in Interventions

This trial will test whether changing unconscious (implicit) attitudes about physical activity helps inactive adults with overweight or obesity, including those with cancer, become more active.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Southern California (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Los Angeles, California)
• Trial ID: NCT07044570 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This ORBIT phase 1 trial tests whether implicit attitudes toward physical activity can be experimentally changed in real-world settings and whether those changes lead to increased activity. Researchers will optimize a novel mHealth physical activity intervention by disentangling a core goals component and two enhancement components (TYPE/CONTEXT and SAVOR) to identify which parts change affective mechanisms. Participants who are inactive adults with BMI ≥25 and enrolled in the parent eMOTION intervention will use a Fitbit Versa and smartphone app to capture objective activity and mechanism data. The trial employs experimental manipulation and mediation analysis to link shifts in implicit attitudes to physical activity behavior.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are U.S. adults aged 18 or older with BMI ≥25 who do less than 60 minutes of structured activity per week, own a smartphone, are enrolled in the parent eMOTION intervention, and are willing to wear a provided Fitbit Versa.

Not a fit: Patients who are already regularly active, have BMI <25, cannot use or refuse the smartwatch or smartphone components, are not enrolled in the parent trial, or cannot provide informed consent are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could increase regular physical activity among inactive adults with overweight or obesity by targeting unconscious attitudes that influence motivation and enjoyment.

How similar studies have performed: Some laboratory-based work has shown that implicit-attitude manipulations can shift affective responses and short-term activity intentions, but real-world, optimized mHealth interventions remain largely untested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged ≥ 18 years
2. Reside in the United States
3. Self-reported BMI ≥ 25
4. Current structured physical activity engagement \< 60 minutes per week
5. Own a personal smartphone device
6. Reside in an area with Internet or Wi-Fi connectivity during the study period
7. Able to speak and read in English
8. Interested and willing to start a physical activity program
9. Willing to wear a Fitbit Versa smartwatch provided by the study team everyday continuously (including at work and during physical activity), in place of any Fitbits or smartwatches previously worn, for the duration of the study period
10. Able to read the small font on a smartwatch screen without glasses, or willing to carry reading glasses during physical activity for the purpose of reading the smartwatch screen
11. Enrolled in the parent eMOTION intervention study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to provide informed consent due to cognitive disability
2. Inability to engage in one or more key treatment components, including those with medical conditions that preclude physical activity engagement or who cannot wear an accelerometer on the wrist or answer brief surveys on the smartwatch for any reason
3. Current pregnancy
4. Referred to the study by another participant or from Reddit.

Where this trial is running

Los Angeles, California

• Univeristy of Southern California — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Genevieve F Dunton, PhD MPH — University of Southern California
• Study coordinator: Micaela Hewus, MPH

Conditions Physical Activity; Overweight or Obesity; Cancer; Affective Response; Psychological Needs; Implicit Attitudes