Physical ActivityFIT-TEENNCT03081013
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Program for Teenagers
A study testing Social information and Fitbit in people with Physical Activity, run by Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School at 1 site in Singapore.
Trial summary
The study aims: 1. To test the effect of providing social comparison information on increasing physical activity among Singaporean adolescents. 2. To test whether providing social comparison information increases physical activity more when it is provided publicly compared to when it is provided anonymously. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 16 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Physical Activity
- What is being tested?
- Social information and Fitbit
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 311 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSingapore
- Study dates
- Dec 2016to Dec 2018
- 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 13 to 16 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- The study's target population is adolescents aged 13-16 years. Participants should be Singaporean citizens or permanent residents. Participants should be English-speaking. Participants should be willing to wear a pedometer for 4 months. Only participants who provide at least 8 (out of 14 days) valid days of pedometer data including at least 2 days of the weekend at baseline will be included.
Who cannot join
- Participants will be asked to complete a short screener questionnaire to ensure that they are healthy enough to participate. Participants reporting the following will be excluded:
- Having any medical condition that may limit their ability to walk as a means of physical activity
- Are unwilling to wear a wireless pedometer for 4 months
- Participants will also be screened with a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Those who answer 'YES' to any PAR-Q question will be permitted to enroll only if they provide written approval from a medical doctor.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Program for Teenagers (FIT-TEEN)
The study aims:
- To test the effect of providing social comparison information on increasing physical activity among Singaporean adolescents.
- To test whether providing social comparison information increases physical activity more when it is provided publicly compared to when it is provided anonymously.
Read the detailed description
Childhood and adolescent obesity represents a major public health challenge worldwide. Singapore is no exception as the prevalence of obesity among children was estimated at 12%. Overweight and obese children are more likely to become obese adults, to develop non-communicable diseases at a younger age, and to have a shorter life expectancy. One of the main reasons behind the growing obesity epidemic is low levels of physical activity. Previous literature shows evidence of a steep decline in physical activity among boys after the primary school years and low levels of activity among girls throughout the primary and high school years in Singapore. Daily step counts are found to be up to 35% short of the recommended daily steps for adolescents. Low levels of physical activity are also associated with lower psychological well-being among adolescents. Thus, it is important that interventions aimed at increasing physical activity target adolescent years.
In this study, the investigators propose to test the effectiveness of providing social comparison information on increasing physical activity among adolescents. Participating adolescents will be randomized into a group and groups will be randomized into one of two study arms in a 4-month walking program:
Private arm: At the end of each week, participants will be provided with the number of steps logged by the participants in their group. The number of steps will be ranked from highest to the lowest without any identifiable information about the participants.
Public arm: At the end of each week, participants in this arm will be provided with the same information as in the other arm plus the names of the participants corresponding to the number of steps logged.
Social comparison information will be provided to the study participants via SMS. We will conduct a 4-month two-arm RCT to test whether social comparison information increases physical activity more when it is disclosed publicly compared to when it is provided anonymously. The primary outcome is the average number of steps taken per week by participants. Study outcomes relating to physical activity and health-related quality of life for participants will be evaluated at baseline and 4 months. Step activity will be tracked in real time via Fitbit wireless pedometers throughout the study.
- Conditions
- Physical Activity
- Being tested
- Social information, Fitbit
- Keywords
- adolescents, social norms
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Social informationBehavioural
Social comparison information will be provided to the study participants weekly via SMS
FitbitDevice
Also called Fitbit Flex, wireless pedometer, physical activity tracker
Fitbit is a wireless pedometer that tracks steps of participants and will be offered in conjunction with a tailored website with customised information for participants.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Private Arm | Active comparator | At the end of each week, participants will be provided with the number of steps logged by the participants in their group. The number of steps will be ranked from highest to the lowest without any identifiable information about the participants. Receives: Behavioral: Social information; Device: Fitbit |
| Public Arm | Experimental | At the end of each week, participants will be provided with the number of steps logged by the participants in their group. The number of steps will be ranked from highest to the lowest with the full names of the participants corresponding to the number of steps. Receives: Behavioral: Social information; Device: Fitbit |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The average number of steps taken per week by participants
These will be assessed through Fitbit pedometers at baseline and at the last 2 weeks of the trial. All participants will be issued a step counter, the Fitbit Flex™ for use during the entire 4-month RCT.
Measured: 4 months
Secondary outcomes (2)
Health Outcomes: Quality of life index
The quality of life will be assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) for adolescents. These measures will be taken twice; at baseline and at the end of the study.
Measured: 4 months
Health Outcomes: Depression
Depression will be measured using Asian Adolescent Depression Scale (AADS) which is validated for Singaporean adolescents.These measures will be taken twice; at baseline and at the end of the study.
Measured: 4 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Mar 2017
- Study startDec 2016
- Primary completionAug 2018
- Study completionDec 2018
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (19)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Physical ActivityStudies 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
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 311 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Semra Ozdemir, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
- Investigators
- Semra Ozdemir, PhD, Principal investigator, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03081013
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HSRNIG13nov007
- Acronym
- FIT-TEEN
- Status last verified
- Sep 2019
- First submitted
- 9 Mar 2017
- Last updated
- 6 Sep 2019
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Upon request from the principal investigator, individual participant data will be available to other researchers for secondary analysis purposes, such as meta-analyses, reanalysis or replication of results. Any data that will be shared will be de-identified so privacy of the participants will be protected.
Publications
Must A, Strauss RS. Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1999 Mar;23 Suppl 2:S2-11. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0800852.
PubMed 10340798Chia M. Pedometer-assessed physical activity of Singaporean youths. Prev Med. 2010 May-Jun;50(5-6):262-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.03.004. Epub 2010 Mar 11.
PubMed 20226810Lee KS, Trost SG. Validity and reliability of the 3-day physical activity recall in Singaporean adolescents. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2005 Mar;76(1):101-6. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2005.10599265. No abstract available.
PubMed 15810774Kirkcaldy BD, Shephard RJ, Siefen RG. The relationship between physical activity and self-image and problem behaviour among adolescents. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2002 Nov;37(11):544-50. doi: 10.1007/s00127-002-0554-7.
PubMed 12395145Sallis JF, Prochaska JJ, Taylor WC. A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 May;32(5):963-75. doi: 10.1097/00005768-200005000-00014.
PubMed 10795788Maturo CC, Cunningham SA. Influence of friends on children's physical activity: a review. Am J Public Health. 2013 Jul;103(7):e23-38. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301366. Epub 2013 May 16.
PubMed 23678914Donaldson SI, Graham JW, Hansen WB. Testing the generalizability of intervening mechanism theories: understanding the effects of adolescent drug use prevention interventions. J Behav Med. 1994 Apr;17(2):195-216. doi: 10.1007/BF01858105.
PubMed 8035452Larimer ME, Neighbors C. Normative misperception and the impact of descriptive and injunctive norms on college student gambling. Psychol Addict Behav. 2003 Sep;17(3):235-43. doi: 10.1037/0893-164X.17.3.235.
PubMed 14498818Neighbors C, Larimer ME, Lewis MA. Targeting misperceptions of descriptive drinking norms: efficacy of a computer-delivered personalized normative feedback intervention. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2004 Jun;72(3):434-47. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.72.3.434.
PubMed 15279527Schultz PW, Nolan JM, Cialdini RB, Goldstein NJ, Griskevicius V. The constructive, destructive, and reconstructive power of social norms. Psychol Sci. 2007 May;18(5):429-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01917.x.
PubMed 17576283Yun D, Silk KJ. Social norms, self-identity, and attention to social comparison information in the context of exercise and healthy diet behavior. Health Commun. 2011 Apr;26(3):275-85. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2010.549814.
PubMed 21400325Tudor-Locke C, Craig CL, Beets MW, Belton S, Cardon GM, Duncan S, Hatano Y, Lubans DR, Olds TS, Raustorp A, Rowe DA, Spence JC, Tanaka S, Blair SN. How many steps/day are enough? for children and adolescents. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011 Jul 28;8:78. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-8-78.
PubMed 21798014Finkelstein EA, Tan YT, Malhotra R, Lee CF, Goh SS, Saw SM. A cluster randomized controlled trial of an incentive-based outdoor physical activity program. J Pediatr. 2013 Jul;163(1):167-72.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.01.009. Epub 2013 Feb 14.
PubMed 23415616Tudor-Locke C, Johnson WD, Katzmarzyk PT. Accelerometer-determined steps per day in US children and youth. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Dec;42(12):2244-50. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181e32d7f.
PubMed 20421837Woo BS, Chang WC, Fung DS, Koh JB, Leong JS, Kee CH, Seah CK. Development and validation of a depression scale for Asian adolescents. J Adolesc. 2004 Dec;27(6):677-89. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2003.12.004.
PubMed 15561310
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Sep 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Program for Teenagers (FIT-TEEN)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03081013
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FIT-TEEN / HSRNIG13nov007
- Conditions
- Physical Activity
- Keywords
- adolescents, social norms
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 311 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical SchoolUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Dec 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2018 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2018 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Mar 2017 (actual)
- 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 study aims:
- To test the effect of providing social comparison information on increasing physical activity among Singaporean adolescents.
- To test whether providing social comparison information increases physical activity more when it is provided publicly compared to when it is provided anonymously.
Detailed description
Childhood and adolescent obesity represents a major public health challenge worldwide. Singapore is no exception as the prevalence of obesity among children was estimated at 12%. Overweight and obese children are more likely to become obese adults, to develop non-communicable diseases at a younger age, and to have a shorter life expectancy. One of the main reasons behind the growing obesity epidemic is low levels of physical activity. Previous literature shows evidence of a steep decline in physical activity among boys after the primary school years and low levels of activity among girls throughout the primary and high school years in Singapore. Daily step counts are found to be up to 35% short of the recommended daily steps for adolescents. Low levels of physical activity are also associated with lower psychological well-being among adolescents. Thus, it is important that interventions aimed at increasing physical activity target adolescent years.
In this study, the investigators propose to test the effectiveness of providing social comparison information on increasing physical activity among adolescents. Participating adolescents will be randomized into a group and groups will be randomized into one of two study arms in a 4-month walking program:
Private arm: At the end of each week, participants will be provided with the number of steps logged by the participants in their group. The number of steps will be ranked from highest to the lowest without any identifiable information about the participants.
Public arm: At the end of each week, participants in this arm will be provided with the same information as in the other arm plus the names of the participants corresponding to the number of steps logged.
Social comparison information will be provided to the study participants via SMS. We will conduct a 4-month two-arm RCT to test whether social comparison information increases physical activity more when it is disclosed publicly compared to when it is provided anonymously. The primary outcome is the average number of steps taken per week by participants. Study outcomes relating to physical activity and health-related quality of life for participants will be evaluated at baseline and 4 months. Step activity will be tracked in real time via Fitbit wireless pedometers throughout the study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Private Arm | Active comparator | Behavioral: Social information, Device: FitbitAt the end of each week, participants will be provided with the number of steps logged by the participants in their group. The number of steps will be ranked from highest to the lowest without any identifiable information about the participants. |
| Public Arm | Experimental | Behavioral: Social information, Device: FitbitAt the end of each week, participants will be provided with the number of steps logged by the participants in their group. The number of steps will be ranked from highest to the lowest with the full names of the participants corresponding to the number of steps. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- The study's target population is adolescents aged 13-16 years. Participants should be Singaporean citizens or permanent residents. Participants should be English-speaking. Participants should be willing to wear a pedometer for 4 months. Only participants who provide at least 8 (out of 14 days) valid days of pedometer data including at least 2 days of the weekend at baseline will be included.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participants will be asked to complete a short screener questionnaire to ensure that they are healthy enough to participate. Participants reporting the following will be excluded:
- Having any medical condition that may limit their ability to walk as a means of physical activity
- Are unwilling to wear a wireless pedometer for 4 months
- Participants will also be screened with a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Those who answer 'YES' to any PAR-Q question will be permitted to enroll only if they provide written approval from a medical doctor.
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 informationSocial comparison information will be provided to the study participants weekly via SMS | Behavioural | Private Arm, Public Arm |
| FitbitAlso: Fitbit Flex, wireless pedometer, physical activity trackerFitbit is a wireless pedometer that tracks steps of participants and will be offered in conjunction with a tailored website with customised information for participants. | Device | Private Arm, Public Arm |
Primary outcome
The average number of steps taken per week by participants
Time frame: 4 months
These will be assessed through Fitbit pedometers at baseline and at the last 2 weeks of the trial. All participants will be issued a step counter, the Fitbit Flex™ for use during the entire 4-month RCT.
2 secondary outcomes
Health Outcomes: Quality of life index
Time frame: 4 months
Health Outcomes: Depression
Time frame: 4 months
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 6 Sep 2019.
- Background: PubMed 10340798Must A, Strauss RS. Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1999 Mar;23 Suppl 2:S2-11. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0800852.
- Background: PubMed 20226810Chia M. Pedometer-assessed physical activity of Singaporean youths. Prev Med. 2010 May-Jun;50(5-6):262-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.03.004. Epub 2010 Mar 11.
- Background: PubMed 15810774Lee KS, Trost SG. Validity and reliability of the 3-day physical activity recall in Singaporean adolescents. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2005 Mar;76(1):101-6. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2005.10599265. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 12395145Kirkcaldy BD, Shephard RJ, Siefen RG. The relationship between physical activity and self-image and problem behaviour among adolescents. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2002 Nov;37(11):544-50. doi: 10.1007/s00127-002-0554-7.
- Background: PubMed 10795788Sallis JF, Prochaska JJ, Taylor WC. A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 May;32(5):963-75. doi: 10.1097/00005768-200005000-00014.
- Background: PubMed 23678914Maturo CC, Cunningham SA. Influence of friends on children's physical activity: a review. Am J Public Health. 2013 Jul;103(7):e23-38. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301366. Epub 2013 May 16.
- Background: PubMed 8035452Donaldson SI, Graham JW, Hansen WB. Testing the generalizability of intervening mechanism theories: understanding the effects of adolescent drug use prevention interventions. J Behav Med. 1994 Apr;17(2):195-216. doi: 10.1007/BF01858105.
- Background: PubMed 14498818Larimer ME, Neighbors C. Normative misperception and the impact of descriptive and injunctive norms on college student gambling. Psychol Addict Behav. 2003 Sep;17(3):235-43. doi: 10.1037/0893-164X.17.3.235.
- Background: PubMed 15279527Neighbors C, Larimer ME, Lewis MA. Targeting misperceptions of descriptive drinking norms: efficacy of a computer-delivered personalized normative feedback intervention. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2004 Jun;72(3):434-47. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.72.3.434.
- Background: PubMed 17576283Schultz PW, Nolan JM, Cialdini RB, Goldstein NJ, Griskevicius V. The constructive, destructive, and reconstructive power of social norms. Psychol Sci. 2007 May;18(5):429-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01917.x.
- Background: PubMed 21400325Yun D, Silk KJ. Social norms, self-identity, and attention to social comparison information in the context of exercise and healthy diet behavior. Health Commun. 2011 Apr;26(3):275-85. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2010.549814.
- Background: PubMed 21798014Tudor-Locke C, Craig CL, Beets MW, Belton S, Cardon GM, Duncan S, Hatano Y, Lubans DR, Olds TS, Raustorp A, Rowe DA, Spence JC, Tanaka S, Blair SN. How many steps/day are enough? for children and adolescents. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011 Jul 28;8:78. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-8-78.
- S'pore experts on the perils of childhood obesity and how to avert it." AsiaOne, 19 April 2014.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Active for Life - Physical Activity: some is better than none." Health Promotion Board Singapore (HPB).Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Upon request from the principal investigator, individual participant data will be available to other researchers for secondary analysis purposes, such as meta-analyses, reanalysis or replication of results. Any data that will be shared will be de-identified so privacy of the participants will be protected.
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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.
Semra Ozdemir, PhD principal investigator
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
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 information and Fitbit in people with Physical Activity, run by Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School at 1 site in Singapore.
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 1 inclusion and 4 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 6 Sep 2019. 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 Singapore. 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?
The average number of steps taken per week by participants (time frame: 4 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03081013, which also lists 19 linked publications.
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 6 Sep 2019.