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MOVING: Motivation-Oriented interVention study for the elderly IN Greifswald: study protocol for a randomized
Fabian Kleinke1,2, Thea Schwaneberg3,4, Franziska Weymar3,4,5
1Institute for Community Medicine, Section Epidemiology of Health Care and Community Health, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. fabian.kleinke@uni-greifswald.de.
Insights
Individualized feedback letters significantly increased physical activity (PA) and reduced sitting time (ST) in older adults. This intervention may help prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Preventive Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of mortality globally and in Germany.
- Low physical activity (PA) and high sitting time (ST) are significant risk factors for CVD, particularly in older adults (≥65 years).
- Many older adults do not meet recommended PA levels, with substantial daily ST.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of individualized feedback letters on PA and ST in individuals aged 65 and older.
- To determine if objective accelerometer data can be used to motivate behavioral changes in PA and ST.
- To assess the potential of this intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A two-arm, randomized controlled trial (MOVING study) involving participants aged 65+.
- Objective measurement of PA and ST using accelerometers over seven consecutive days.
- Intervention group received automated, individualized feedback letters based on PA/ST data at baseline and 3-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- The primary outcome is the change in PA and ST at 6 months post-intervention.
- The study aims for a 20% increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the intervention group.
- Results will be compared between the intervention and control groups.
Conclusions:
- The study evaluates a low-threshold intervention to increase PA and decrease ST in elderly individuals.
- Positive effects on PA and ST could contribute to the prevention of CVD.
- This feedback intervention shows potential for improving health-related behaviors in older populations.
Background:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality. In 2014, they were responsible for 38.9% of all causes of death in Germany. One major risk factor for CVD is a lack of physical activity (PA). A health-promoting lifestyle including regular PA and minimizing sitting time (ST) in daily life is a central preventive measure. Previous studies have shown that PA decreases in older age; 2.4-29% of the people aged over 60 years achieve the World Health Organization recommendations. This age group spends on average 9.4 h per day in sedentary activities. To increase PA and decrease ST, a low-threshold intervention, consisting of individualized feedback letters based on objectively measured data of PA and ST, was developed. The research question is: Do individual feedback letters, based on accelerometer data, have a positive effect on PA and ST?
Methods/Design:
MOVING is a two-arm, randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria are age ≥ 65 years and the ability to be physically active. Exclusion criteria are the permanent use of a wheelchair and simultaneous participation in another study on PA. At baseline participants who give informed consent will receive general information and recommendations about the positive effects of regular PA and less ST. Participants of both groups will receive an accelerometer device, which records PA and ST over a period of seven consecutive days following by a randomization. Participants in the intervention group will receive automatically generated, individualized feedback letters by mail based on their PA and ST at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Further follow-up examinations will be carried out at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is the increase of PA and the reduction of ST after 6 months in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Discussion:
The goal of the study is to examine the effects of a simple feedback intervention on PA and ST in elderly people. We aim to achieve an effect of 20% increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The intervention may have the potential to decrease crucial cardiovascular risk factors and, therefore, contribute to prevention of CVD.
Trial Registration:
German Clinical Trials Register, ID: DRKS00010410 . Registered on 17 May 2017.
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