Sedentary LifestyleNCT01139541
Testing Strategies for Increasing Exercise
A study testing Social walking intervention in people with Sedentary Lifestyle and Obesity, run by Harvard University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of the study is to learn more about effective ways to motivate people to increase their non-exercise energy expenditure exercise. This is an important research question because obesity and weight-related issues are increasingly becoming a problem in America. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sedentary Lifestyle, Obesity
- What is being tested?
- Social walking intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 224 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jun 2010to Jan 2011
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Must pass the ParQ
- Must be employee of BCBS Massachusetts
Who cannot join
- Failing the ParQ
- Not being an employee of BCBS Massachusetts
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215
About this study
The purpose of the study is to learn more about effective ways to motivate people to increase their non-exercise energy expenditure exercise. This is an important research question because obesity and weight-related issues are increasingly becoming a problem in America. This project will address this research question by testing the effect of group dynamics in motivating employees who are predominantly sedentary to use Walkstations at work. The Walkstations are treadmills that move at a very slow rate (maximum 2miles / hour) and are attached to a work station (i.e. with computer and telephone); they therefore are designed to increase energy spent not through heavy exercise, but through small changes in posture and movement associated with routines in daily life (called nonexercise activity thermogenesis or NEAT). The proposed study is designed to build upon previous research (Levine et al., 2005) suggesting the role of NEAT-enhanced behaviors in weight loss.
In this study, the investigators are interested in the impact of group dynamics on the propensity to use the Walkstations. Participants in the active arms will be asked to use the Walkstations for at least 3 hours per week. They will do so by signing up for a time slot. During their session, they will be asked to log into the scheduling system to indicate that they are using the Walkstation. Walkstation usage will be assessed by log-in data: employees will log-in to the phone and computer when they use the Walkstation. This log-in data is work-station specific; therefore the investigators will be able to tell when a given subject used the Walkstation.
Read more
Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions:
- Individual. In the individual condition, participants will not be part of a team. They will receive weekly email feedback on their Walkstation performance (e.g. number of time slots they signed up for, and number of times they showed up for the time slot.) Participants will also receive a wellness tip in each email. (see appendix for a sample email)
- Pairs. In the pair condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a partner. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND their partner.
- Group. In the group condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a group of 5 people. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND each member of their group.
- Conditions
- Sedentary Lifestyle, Obesity
- Being tested
- Social walking intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior, Obesity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Social walking interventionBehavioural
In this intervention, we are interested in the impact of group dynamics on the propensity to use the Walkstations. The intervention consists of 4 levels: control, individual, pair, and group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control | No intervention | Participants in the control condition will be asked to refrain from using the WalkStations during the study period. |
| Individual | Experimental | In the individual condition, participants will not be part of a team. They will receive weekly email feedback on their Walkstation performance (e.g. number of time slots they signed up for, and number of times they showed up for the time slot.) Receives: Behavioral: Social walking intervention |
| Pairs | Experimental | In the pair condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a partner. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND their partner. Receives: Behavioral: Social walking intervention |
| Groups | Experimental | In the group condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a group of 5 people. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND each member of their group. Receives: Behavioral: Social walking intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
WalkStation usage
Frequency with which the participant uses the WalkStation
Measured: 3 months
Secondary outcomes (8)
Creativity
Creativity measured on versus off the WalkStation.
Measured: 3 months
Focus
Focus, as measured when person is on versus off the WalkStation.
Measured: 3 months
Health Behaviors Survey
Survey of health-related behaviors to be completed by participant.
Measured: pre-baseline
WalkStation Usage
Frequency with which the participant uses the WalkStation
Measured: 6 months
Health Behaviors Survey
Survey of health-related behaviors to be completed by participant.
Measured: baseline
Health Behaviors Survey
Survey of health-related behaviors to be completed by participant.
Measured: 6 months
Creativity
Creativity measured on versus off the WalkStation.
Measured: baseline
Focus
Focus, as measured when person is on versus off the WalkStation.
Measured: baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jun 2010 (estimated)
- Study startJun 2010
- Primary completionJan 2011
- Study completionJan 2011
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sedentary LifestyleStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 224 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Harvard University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Michael Norton, Harvard University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01139541
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- WalkStation1
- Status last verified
- Aug 2015
- First submitted
- 3 Jun 2010
- Last updated
- 19 Aug 2015
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Aug 2015. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Testing Strategies for Increasing Exercise
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01139541
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- WalkStation1
- Conditions
- Sedentary Lifestyle, Obesity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 224 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Harvard UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Study start
- Jun 2010
- Primary completion
- Jan 2011 (actual)
- Study completion
- Jan 2011 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Jun 2010 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of the study is to learn more about effective ways to motivate people to increase their non-exercise energy expenditure exercise. This is an important research question because obesity and weight-related issues are increasingly becoming a problem in America. This project will address this research question by testing the effect of group dynamics in motivating employees who are predominantly sedentary to use Walkstations at work. The Walkstations are treadmills that move at a very slow rate (maximum 2miles / hour) and are attached to a work station (i.e. with computer and telephone); they therefore are designed to increase energy spent not through heavy exercise, but through small changes in posture and movement associated with routines in daily life (called nonexercise activity thermogenesis or NEAT). The proposed study is designed to build upon previous research (Levine et al., 2005) suggesting the role of NEAT-enhanced behaviors in weight loss.
In this study, the investigators are interested in the impact of group dynamics on the propensity to use the Walkstations. Participants in the active arms will be asked to use the Walkstations for at least 3 hours per week. They will do so by signing up for a time slot. During their session, they will be asked to log into the scheduling system to indicate that they are using the Walkstation. Walkstation usage will be assessed by log-in data: employees will log-in to the phone and computer when they use the Walkstation. This log-in data is work-station specific; therefore the investigators will be able to tell when a given subject used the Walkstation.
Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions:
- Individual. In the individual condition, participants will not be part of a team. They will receive weekly email feedback on their Walkstation performance (e.g. number of time slots they signed up for, and number of times they showed up for the time slot.) Participants will also receive a wellness tip in each email. (see appendix for a sample email)
- Pairs. In the pair condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a partner. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND their partner.
- Group. In the group condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a group of 5 people. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND each member of their group.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control | No intervention | –Participants in the control condition will be asked to refrain from using the WalkStations during the study period. |
| Individual | Experimental | Behavioral: Social walking interventionIn the individual condition, participants will not be part of a team. They will receive weekly email feedback on their Walkstation performance (e.g. number of time slots they signed up for, and number of times they showed up for the time slot.) |
| Pairs | Experimental | Behavioral: Social walking interventionIn the pair condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a partner. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND their partner. |
| Groups | Experimental | Behavioral: Social walking interventionIn the group condition, participants will be randomly assigned to a group of 5 people. They will receive the same feedback as those in the individual condition, for both themselves AND each member of their group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Must pass the ParQ
- Must be employee of BCBS Massachusetts
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Failing the ParQ
- Not being an employee of BCBS Massachusetts
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Social walking interventionIn this intervention, we are interested in the impact of group dynamics on the propensity to use the Walkstations. The intervention consists of 4 levels: control, individual, pair, and group. | Behavioural | Groups, Individual, Pairs |
Primary outcome
WalkStation usage
Time frame: 3 months
Frequency with which the participant uses the WalkStation
8 secondary outcomes
Creativity
Time frame: 3 months
Focus
Time frame: 3 months
Health Behaviors Survey
Time frame: pre-baseline
WalkStation Usage
Time frame: 6 months
Health Behaviors Survey
Time frame: baseline
Health Behaviors Survey
Time frame: 6 months
Creativity
Time frame: baseline
Focus
Time frame: baseline
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Aug 2015.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Social walking intervention in people with Sedentary Lifestyle and Obesity, run by Harvard University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Aug 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
WalkStation usage (time frame: 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Aug 2015.