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Randomized trial of 2 interventions to increase older women's exercise
Vicki S Conn1, Kathryn J Burks, Marian A Minor
1School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. conn@missouri.edu
Objective:
To test 2 interventions to increase older women's physical activity.
Methods:
A randomized 2-way factorial experimental design compared the effects of 2 limited-contact interventions, motivational sessions and periodic prompts, among 190 women. Experimental participants received a 3-encounter motivational intervention. Those randomized to prompts received weekly telephone or mail-delivered cues.
Results:
The prompting intervention consistently increased exercise and physical activity scores. The motivational intervention did not affect outcome scores.
Conclusions:
Prompting is a low-cost strategy for increasing exercise and physical activity among older women. Future research should examine alternative modes for prompt delivery.