Optimizing and Testing an Individualized and Adaptive Physical Activity Digital Health Intervention: Protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Behavioral science
• Exercise physiology

Background:

• Existing physical activity (PA) interventions show variable effectiveness.
• There is a need for personalized digital health solutions to address individual PA determinants.
• The YourMove intervention aims to support habit formation and develop personalized knowledge, skills, and practices for exercise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the personalized YourMove intervention compared to an active control.
• To assess differences in weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) at 12 months.
• To compare a personalized digital health approach with standard worksite wellness programs.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month randomized controlled trial involving 386 inactive adults (aged 25-80).
• Participants received a smartwatch, app, weekly feedback, and incentives.
• The intervention group received personalized goals and a self-experimentation tool; the control group received static goals and rewards.
• Primary outcome: objectively assessed weekly MVPA via ActiGraph monitor.

Main Results:

• Recruitment concluded in August 2024.
• Data collection is ongoing, with results anticipated in early 2026.
• The study is designed to detect significant differences in MVPA between groups.

Conclusions:

• The YourMove intervention is hypothesized to significantly increase MVPA compared to the active control.
• Personalized, adaptive digital health support may outperform standard wellness programs for PA.
• Findings could support the use of personalized approaches for other complex behaviors like weight management or smoking cessation.