Abstract
BackgroundWeb-based interventions that provide personalized physical activity advice have demonstrated good effectiveness but rely on self-reported measures of physical activity, which are prone to overreporting, potentially reducing the accuracy and effectiveness of the advice provided.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine whether the effectiveness of a Web-based computer-tailored intervention could be improved by integrating Fitbit activity trackers.MethodsParticipants received the 3-month TaylorActive intervention, which included 8 modules of theory-based, personally tailored physical activity advice and action planning. Participants were randomized to receive the same intervention either with or without Fitbit tracker integration. All intervention materials were delivered on the Web, and there was no face-to-face contact at any time point. Changes in physical activity (Active Australia Survey), sitting time (Workforce Sitting Questionnaire), and body mass index (BMI) were assessed 1 and 3 months post baseline. Advice acceptability, website usability, and module completion were also assessed.ResultsA total of 243 Australian adults participated. Linear mixed model analyses showed a significant increase in total weekly physical activity (adjusted mean increase=163.2; 95% CI 52.0-274.5; P=.004) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (adjusted mean increase=78.6; 95% CI 24.4-131.9; P=.004) in the Fitbit group compared with the non-Fitbit group at the 3-month follow-up. The sitting time and BMI decreased more in the Fitbit group, but no significant group × time interaction effects were found. The physical activity advice acceptability and the website usability were consistently rated higher by participants in the Fitbit group. Non-Fitbit group participants completed 2.9 (SD 2.5) modules, and Fitbit group participants completed 4.4 (SD 3.1) modules.ConclusionsIntegrating physical activity trackers into a Web-based computer-tailored intervention significantly increased intervention effectiveness.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616001555448; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371793 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73ioTxQX2)
Highlights
BackgroundRegular physical activity is recommended to reduce the risk of developing chronic disease, mental health problems, mortality, and morbidity [1,2]
Personalized physical activity advice is provided after participants complete 1 or more Web-based surveys
On the basis of participant responses and using IF- algorithms, relevant feedback is selected from a large database with all possible response options [8]
Summary
BackgroundRegular physical activity is recommended to reduce the risk of developing chronic disease (eg, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer), mental health problems, mortality, and morbidity [1,2]. In Australia, and in most other developed and developing nations, the majority of the population is not meeting the physical activity recommendations [1,3]. This causes a large burden of disease, reduced quality of life, and high health care costs [2,4]. The search for cost-effective interventions that can effectively increase physical activity levels in large populations is ongoing [5]. In this regard, Web-based computer-tailored interventions have demonstrated promising outcomes. Web-based interventions that provide personalized physical activity advice have demonstrated good effectiveness but rely on self-reported measures of physical activity, which are prone to overreporting, potentially reducing the accuracy and effectiveness of the advice provided
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