Text messaging program to reduce sedentary behavior and promote healthy lifestyles

A Mobile Phone Text-based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior and Engage Communities on the Importance of Healthy Lifestyles: the TEXT2MOVE Study

Not applicable Interventional M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT05217108

This study is testing a text messaging program to see if it can help adults move more and live healthier by sending them encouraging messages for eight weeks.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT05217108 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This intervention aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week mobile phone text messaging program designed to reduce sedentary behavior among adults. Participants will receive either responsive texts or standard scheduled texts to encourage movement and engagement with healthy lifestyle content. The study will assess changes in physical activity levels, participant engagement, and attitudes towards exercise through surveys. The target population is racially and geographically diverse, enhancing the generalizability of the findings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 who own a smartphone, have access to WiFi, and self-report more than 6 hours of sedentary behavior per day.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to walk without assistance or are currently participating in other weight management or exercise programs may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce sedentary behavior and promote healthier lifestyles among participants.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with text messaging interventions for health behavior change, indicating potential for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

1. \>18 years old
2. owns a smart phone
3. has access to WiFi or willing to use mobile data
4. has an email address or willing to create an email address
5. able to read and understand English;
6. able to give informed consent;
7. willing to receive text messages and complete brief questionnaires on their smart phone
8. self-reports sedentary behavior (\> 6 hours/day of sitting time).

Exclusion criteria:

1. unwilling to have sedentary behavior and activity tracked
2. unable to walk without ambulatory assistance device (i.e. cane or walker) or due to underlying medical condition
3. MD Anderson employees that report to the Principal Investigators of this study
4. family or household member already enrolled into study
5. not sedentary based on \< 6 hours/day of sitting time, and (6) currently participating in a weight management or exercise study or program

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

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 Life StyleHealthy Lifestyle
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.