Smartphone app program to help rural adults stick with exercise
Improving Exercise Adherence With App Technology for At-Risk Adults Living in Rural Kansas and Nebraska
NA · Creighton University · NCT07171255
This project will try a smartphone app to help middle-aged and older adults in rural Kansas and Nebraska keep up with an exercise program aimed at lowering Alzheimer's and related dementia risk.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 54 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Creighton University (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Emporia, Kansas and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07171255 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The program delivers RemoteEx+ through a smartphone application that provides video demonstrations, structured workout plans, motivational messages, and weekly dementia-risk reduction education. The study uses a pre/post design to measure exercise adherence, self-efficacy for exercise, enjoyment, and quality of life before and after the intervention. Participants are 40–85 years old, underactive, live in rural areas by RUCA codes, own a smartphone, and must not have significant cognitive impairment or contraindications to high-intensity exercise. Enrollment is coordinated through Emporia State University (Kansas) and Creighton University (Nebraska) while the intervention is delivered remotely.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 40–85 years old, underactive, live in rural Kansas or Nebraska by RUCA codes, can use a smartphone, speak English, and have no major cognitive impairment or medical contraindication to exercise.
Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairment, contraindications to high-intensity exercise, recent orthopedic surgery, no smartphone access, or who do not live in the designated rural areas are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could increase regular exercise among rural adults and potentially lower their risk of cognitive decline while improving well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Previous smartphone and remotely delivered exercise programs have shown modest improvements in activity levels and self-efficacy, but applying a tailored RemoteEx+ app to rural adults at elevated dementia risk is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 40-85 years * Characterized as underactive by the Telephone Assessment of Physical Activity (TAPA)50 * Self-reported proficiency in English * Own a smartphone and willing to download an application * Primary care provider clearance to participate for those who do not pass the PAR-Q+51 * Live in a rural area (Rural-Urban Commuting Area \[RUCA\] Codes) 52 Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications to high-intensity exercise * Cognitive impairment (\<19 on the Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment \[MoCA\]) * Neurodegenerative or acute neurological diagnoses (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury) * Orthopedic surgery or injuries in the last 6 months
Where this trial is running
Emporia, Kansas and 1 other locations
- Emporia State University — Emporia, Kansas, United States (RECRUITING)
- Creighton University — Omaha, Nebraska, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rashelle Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD
- Email: rashellehoffman@creighton.edu
- Phone: 402-546-8997
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.
Conditions: Sedentary Middle Age and Older Aged Adults