Health coaching and Fitbit use to increase physical activity in employees with knee pain

Computer-guided Action Planning to Support Physical Activity (CAPPA) for Employees with Chronic Knee Symptoms

Not applicable Interventional Marquette University · NCT06734052

This study is testing if health coaching along with Fitbit tracking can help employees with knee pain be more active and reach their exercise goals.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMarquette University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Trial IDNCT06734052 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a health coaching intervention combined with Fitbit tracking to increase physical activity among employees suffering from chronic knee symptoms. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving health coaching and Fitbit support, and the other receiving Fitbit plus general health education. The study will assess whether the coaching intervention leads to a higher proportion of participants achieving at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week. Additionally, researchers will analyze Fitbit data to predict which individuals may struggle to increase their activity levels over the course of the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are employed adults aged 18 and older who experience chronic knee pain or stiffness.

Not a fit: Patients who are already meeting CDC physical activity guidelines or have serious medical conditions that could pose safety risks may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve physical activity levels and overall health for employees with chronic knee symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that health coaching and wearable technology like Fitbit can improve physical activity in some populations, but this specific approach is being tested for the first time in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Participants must be

1. Age \>/= 18 years
2. Employed at a participating workplace
3. Report pain, aching or stiffness in or around the knee over the past 12 months
4. Report chronic pain, aching or stiffness in or around knee on most days for at least a month over the past 12 months
5. Have access to a device with active internet access to view study dashboard

Exclusion Criteria: Participants will be excluded if they

1. Currently meet CDC PA guidelines (per baseline accelerometer assessment)
2. Have had a joint replacement on the symptomatic side or plan to have one within the next year
3. Have serious medical conditions or impairments that, in the investigators' view, would create safety concerns in the trial such as uncontrolled hypertension (SPB\>160 or diastolic ≥ 100 mm), or symptoms of unstable cardiac or pulmonary disease in the past month ( using the 2021 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+)
4. Are unable to walk 50' with or without an assistive device
5. Plan to relocate from the region within the next year
6. Have limited English literacy
7. Carry a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis

Where this trial is running

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Osteoarthritis of KneeKnee Pain Chronicknee symptomsphysical activityFitbitaccelerometerHealth coachingremote coaching
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.