Abstract P134: One Year Follow-up of the mActive Randomized Clinical mHealth Trial of Physical Activity

Abstract

Background: Novel mobile health (mHealth) technologies have transformed behavioral change research. Leveraging digital activity tracking technology, the mActive randomized clinical mHealth trial of cardiology patients showed that automated text message coaching increased short-term physical activity by 25%. In this one-year follow-up study, we aimed to understand the post-trial behavior of participants and examine their long-term perspectives. Methods: After trial completion, participants retained their digital activity tracking device (Fitbug) and their ongoing behavior was no longer directed by the research team. At one year, 34 of 48 participants answered a Google survey with questions about ongoing activity tracking usage and preferences regarding activity tracking devices and text messages. A proportion for each response was calculated. During focus groups (n=18), open questions were asked to promote discussion with themes assessed in a qualitative analysis. Results: On the survey (Table), 50% (17 of 34) reported still having the mActive pedometer and 27% continued activity tracking after the trial. Among those no longer tracking activity, 71% reported wanting to resume doing so; there was not a strong preference towards any particular activity tracking device. Preferences regarding text feedback were varied with most preferring 1-2 messages per day with a mix of positive and negative messages. During focus groups, participants emphasized a desire for feedback through personalized real-time text messages, and also expressed interest in having activity data synchronize with their electronic medical record to review it with their physician. Conclusions: After the trial, 1/3 of mActive participants continued to track activity. Integration of activity data with the electronic medical record and long-term delivery of real-time feedback could increase the desirability of long-term activity tracking. Future studies may address whether these capabilities aid in long-term engagement and behavioral change.