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N/A N=172 Randomized Single-blind Basic Science

Using Social Connectedness to Increase Physical Activity

Activity, Motor · Social Isolation

Enrolled (actual)
172
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Nov 2021
Primary outcome: Primary: Change in Mean Daily Steps Walked From Baseline Period (Week 1) to Intervention Period (Weeks 2 and 3) — 483.95; 283.77 steps per day

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
Social Incentive (Behavioral); Standard Incentive (Behavioral)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
Carnegie Mellon University
Primary completion
Nov 2020

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Change in Mean Daily Steps Walked From Baseline Period (Week 1) to Intervention Period (Weeks 2 and 3)
483.95; 283.77
PRIMARY
Change in Mean Daily Steps Walked From Baseline Period (Week 1) to Follow-up Period (Weeks 4-5)
7.33; 159.76
PRIMARY
Mean Number of Days Met Daily Step Goal During Intervention Period (Weeks 2-3) Minus Mean Number of Days Met Same Level of Walking in Baseline Period (Week 1)
0.03; 0.01
PRIMARY
Mean Number of Days Met Daily Step Goal During Follow-up Period (Weeks 4-5) Minus Mean Number of Days Met Same Level of Walking in Baseline Period (Week 1)
-0.04; -0.02
PRIMARY
Change in Score on University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale (Survey Measure)
-0.01; 0.02
SECONDARY
Fraction of Days Participant Walked Together With Partner (Self Report) During Intervention Period (Weeks 2-3)
0.138; 0.535
SECONDARY
Fraction of Days Participant Walked Together With Partner (Self Report) During Follow-up Period (Weeks 4-5)
0.135; 0.408
SECONDARY
Proportion of Days Participant Walked Together With Partner (Coded)
0.5444; 0.6583
SECONDARY
Proportion of Days Participant Walked Together With Partner (Coded)
0.5444; 0.6583

Summary

A randomized controlled trial will test the effectiveness of social incentives relative to traditional incentives in promoting walking behavior among college students (N=200). Participants who are rewarded for walking together will be compared to those who are rewarded for walking even when alone. Research participants will download activity tracking apps (Fitbit app and AWARE app) that provide activity and location data. Participants will be consented and then randomized to one of two incentive schemes for walking. Over a 2-week intervention period, the standard incentive group will earn $2 per day when they meet their walking goal regardless of whether they walk alone or with others. The social incentive group will earn $1 per day when they reach their walking goal plus an additional $1 when they walk at least 2000 steps with their walking partner. The incentive scheme will be in place for 2-weeks, preceded by a 1-week baseline period and followed by a 2-week follow-up period.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18+
  • Able to read and understand English-language surveys
  • Own either iPhone or Android smartphones
  • Willing to carry the smart phone during the study period and to respond to daily texts or emails from the study team
  • Registered for the study as a dyad (friend pairs), with one member of the dyad a Carnegie Mellon University student

Exclusion Criteria

  • Contraindications for increased physical activity
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04573972). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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