Abstract
BackgroundThe relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) protection is well documented. Numerous factors (e.g. patient motivation, lack of facilities, physician time constraints) can contribute to poor PA adherence. Web-based computer-tailored interventions offer an innovative way to provide tailored feedback and to empower adults to engage in regular moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA. To describe the rationale, design and content of a web-based computer-tailored PA intervention for Canadian adults enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).Methods/Design244 men and women aged between 35 and 70 years, without CVD or physical disability, not participating in regular moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA, and familiar with and having access to a computer at home, were recruited from the Quebec City Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study centre. Participants were randomized into two study arms: 1) an experimental group receiving the intervention and 2) a waiting list control group. The fully automated web-based computer-tailored PA intervention consists of seven 10- to 15-min sessions over an 8-week period. The theoretical underpinning of the intervention is based on the I-Change Model. The aim of the intervention was to reach a total of 150 min per week of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic PA.DiscussionThis study will provide useful information before engaging in a large RCT to assess the long-term participation and maintenance of PA, the potential impact of regular PA on CVD risk factors and the cost-effectiveness of a web-based computer-tailored intervention.Trial registrationISRCTN36353353 registered on 24/07/2014
Highlights
The relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) protection is well documented
This paper describes the rationale, study design, development and content of the web-based computer-tailored physical activity (PA) intervention as well as the baseline characteristics of adults men and women from Quebec City enrolled in this randomized trial
The first objective is to determine the efficacy of the web-based computer-tailored intervention after 3 months and include two specific questions: 1) what is the efficacy of the intervention on PA behaviour? 2) how are the intervention effects on PA behaviour mediated by motivational factors? The second objective is to examine the use of the web-based computer-tailored intervention and include a specific question: do the intervention initiation and intervention completion differ in relation to sex and level of education?
Summary
The relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) protection is well documented. Web-based computer-tailored interventions offer an innovative way to provide tailored feedback and to empower adults to engage in regular moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA. Design and content of a web-based computer-tailored PA intervention for Canadian adults enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). In Canada, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality, morbidity and health cost [1]. Appropriate management of several risk factors contributing to CVD is poorly achieved even among patients with this disease [2]. This paper describes the rationale, study design, development and content of the web-based computer-tailored PA intervention as well as the baseline characteristics of adults men and women from Quebec City enrolled in this randomized trial.
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