Smartphone app with behaviour change techniques to increase physical activity: Sequential multiple assignment randomized trial

Oral Presentation C4.3

Authors

  • Maria do Socorro Morais Pereira Simões Federal University of Sao Paulo
  • Neli Leite Proença Federal University of Sao Paulo
  • Vinicius Tonon Lauria Federal University of Sao Paulo
  • Matheus Bibian do Nascimento Federal University of Sao Paulo
  • Ricardo da Costa Padovani Federal University of Sao Paulo
  • Victor Zuniga Dourado Federal University of Sao Paulo; Harvard University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.666

Keywords:

Adaptive Intervention, Behaviour Change, Physical Activity, Smartphone

Abstract

Background: App-based interventions to increase physical activity (PA) might be effective, although multi-component interventions appear to be better. Purpose: To investigate the effects of a smartphone app with behavior change techniques on PA of adults. Methods: Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial. The protocol lasted 24 weeks: after baseline assessments, participants were randomized into 3 groups: Group 1 (G1) - app + tailored messages, Group 2 (G2) – app + tailored messages + gamification I, Control group (CG) – PA counseling. We recorded the average number of daily steps from G1 and G2. At week 6, we classified participants as responders or non-responders according to daily steps; non-responders were re-randomized, with the chance to participate in Group 3 – app + tailored messages + gamification II. From week 12, participants no longer received intervention. Reassessments occurred at 12 and 24 weeks from baseline. We analyzed data using repeated-measures ANOVA with an intention-to-treat approach. Results: We included 53 participants (G1: 17, G2: 19, CG: 17), aged 44 ± 1.74 years old, 56.6% women. 53.1% were responders (G1: 62.5%, G2: 43.7%). We had losses to follow-up due to the Covid-19 pandemics. There were no differences pre and post-intervention among groups. Participants from G1 significantly increased step count compared to baseline (p<0.05). Conclusions: An app-based intervention with behavior change techniques may be effective in increasing PA of adults. Funding: Sao Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP (2011/07282-6 and 2018/11817-1); FAPESP/ Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (2018/21536-0). 

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Simões, M. do S. M. P., Proença, N. L., Lauria, V. T., do Nascimento, M. B., Padovani, R. da C., & Dourado, V. Z. (2021). Smartphone app with behaviour change techniques to increase physical activity: Sequential multiple assignment randomized trial: Oral Presentation C4.3. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.666