Mobile supportive teams to boost daily exercise
Using Existing Social Ties to Promote Physical Activity: Effects of Digitally Delivered Team Social Support Training
This trial tests whether adding digital social support training to a team-based smartphone program helps adults who aren't getting enough exercise increase their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of South Carolina Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbia, South Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT06662292 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Self-selected teams of 3–8 insufficiently active adults will be randomized to a 3-month, technology-delivered program (Mobile STRIDES) that provides personalized goals, a wearable activity tracker, feedback, and behavior-change modules either with or without added digital social support training. Physical activity will be measured objectively with a waist-worn research accelerometer at baseline, 3 months (primary endpoint), and 12 months. About 60 teams (approximately 300 participants) will be enrolled and outcomes include changes in moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity as well as social support, motivation, accountability, and autonomy. The trial compares the standard team intervention to the team intervention plus social-support training to see if the training produces larger and more durable activity increases.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18 or older who do under 150 minutes per week of moderate-equivalent activity, can walk at least a quarter mile, have access to a smartphone, and can join a self-selected team of 3–8 are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who already meet activity guidelines, cannot walk a quarter mile, lack a smartphone, or cannot join a qualifying team are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could help people who are not active increase and sustain regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity using smartphone-delivered social support and wearables.
How similar studies have performed: Previous digital and wearable-supported, team-based physical activity programs have produced modest activity gains, and social-support interventions have shown promise, though fully digital, team-based social-support training is less extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Participants must: * be at least 18 years of age * be insufficiently physically active (\< 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity equivalent aerobic physical activity as measured by waist-worn accelerometer (research grade physical activity measurement device) - i.e., sum of time spent in minutes of moderate-intensity activity plus twice the minutes spent in vigorous-intensity activity \< 150 minutes per week) * be part of a self-selected team of 3-8 individuals each of whom also meet all other eligibility criteria (members of the same household are only eligible to participate if they are on the same team - limit one team per household) * have access to a smartphone (Android or iphone operating system-based) with an internet connection * report being able to walk at least ¼ mile without stopping * be able to provide informed consent * complete all screening and baseline questionnaires and activities Exclusion Criteria: * participating in another physical activity study or program * are pregnant, breastfeeding, less than 6 months post-partum, or plan to become pregnant during the time frame of the investigation * report a medical condition that would affect the safety and/or efficacy of a physical activity program (e.g., terminal illness; uncontrolled heart condition, dementia, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder, other significant psychiatric problems, or use of insulin) * report conditions that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator would render them unlikely to be able to independently follow the intervention protocol for 3 months, including conditions which might compromise their ability to engage independently with the intervention website materials and wearable physical activity tracker, as well as complete online questionnaires and adhere to wearing an accelerometer
Where this trial is running
Columbia, South Carolina
- University of South Carolina — Columbia, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Courtney Monroe, PhD — University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Courtney Monroe, PhD
- Email: cmmonroe@mailbox.sc.edu
- Phone: 803-766-6275
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.