Coaching and Prompting for Remote Physical Activity Promotion: Study Protocol of a Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial (Movingcall).

Xenia Fischer,Lars Donath,Lukas Zahner,Oliver Faude,Markus Gerber,Kimberly Zwygart

doi:10.3390/ijerph16030331

Abstract

Background. Physical inactivity is currently seen as one of the biggest global public health issue. Remote physical activity (PA) promotion programs are expected to be effective if they are individually tailored and include behavior change techniques, personal coaching, and regular prompting. However, it is still not fully understood which intervention components are most effective. This paper describes the rationale and design of a study on an individually tailored remote PA promotion program comparing the efficacy of coaching and prompting with a single written advice. Methods. In total, 288 adults (age 20 to 65 years) were randomly assigned to three different intervention arms of a 6-month-long PA promotion program. A minimal intervention group received a single written PA recommendation. The two remaining groups either received telephone coaching sessions (n = 12 calls) with or without additional short message service (SMS) prompting (n = 48 SMSs for each participant). Data assessment took place at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and after a six-month follow-up-period. The primary outcome of the study was self-reported PA. Objectively assessed PA, psychosocial determinants of PA, well-being, body mass index (BMI), and adherence were assessed as secondary outcomes. Conclusion. Findings of this three-arm study will provide insight into the short and long-term effects of coaching and prompting for PA promotion.

Highlights

Physical inactivity is associated with various non-communicable diseases and rising health care costs
The three study arms differ in terms of the delivery mode of the intervention: A “control group” received a single written recommendation at the beginning of the intervention
The present paper describes the rationale, design, and content of a randomized controlled trial on remote physical activity (PA) promotion

Summary

Introduction

Physical inactivity is associated with various non-communicable diseases and rising health care costs. Remote physical activity (PA) promotion programs are expected to be effective if they are individually tailored and include behavior change techniques, personal coaching, and regular prompting. It is still not fully understood which intervention components are most effective. PA promotion program comparing the efficacy of coaching and prompting with a single written advice. 288 adults (age 20 to 65 years) were randomly assigned to three different intervention arms of a 6-month-long PA promotion program. Findings of this three-arm study will provide insight into the short and long-term effects of coaching and prompting for PA promotion

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion