Health PromotionNCT05557071
Increasing Physical Activity Among Early Career Professionals: A Feasibility Trial of an Online Intervention
A study testing Digital Health Behaviour Change Platform in people with Health Promotion and Physical Activity, run by University of Victoria at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
Physical activity promotion remains a public health priority and accessible and scalable interventions are needed. Early career professionals are at-risk for inactivity and therefore a critical target for physical activity promotion. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 44 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Health Promotion, Physical Activity
- What is being tested?
- Digital Health Behaviour Change Platform
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 18 Feb 2022to 30 Jun 2023
- 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 25 to 44 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- English speaking adults, aged 25-44, living in Canada, currently employed at least part-time in a desk-based job, currently not meeting physical activity guidelines, no contraindications to safely increase physical activity, access to the internet and a device to support the e-health application
- Report no contraindications to physical activity (based on the completion of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire administered at screening)
Who cannot join
- No internet access, unable to speak/read English, meeting physical activity guidelines, existing chronic medical condition making them at risk of injury or ill health from increased physical activity
- No exclusion criteria for sex, gender, medications, race or religion will be applied.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Physical activity promotion remains a public health priority and accessible and scalable interventions are needed. Early career professionals are at-risk for inactivity and therefore a critical target for physical activity promotion. An online delivery format made up of web-based lessons and podcasts meets accessibility needs for this time-pressed population and has strong potential for reach.
This study explores the feasibility of a theory-based intervention which accounts for action control, namely by leveraging the the Multi-Process Action Control framework (M-PAC) and targeting factors such as incidental affect (e.g., work-related stress) through emotion regulation strategies grounded in the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
The primary objective of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week web-based physical activity behaviour change program for early career professionals. Primary outcomes include rates of recruitment, attention, adherence as well as study satisfaction and intervention acceptability. Secondary measures will include physical activity and emotion regulation. Additional measures will explore Multi-Process Action Control constructs, perceived stress, applied mindfulness, action and acceptance, and valued living.
Read the detailed description
BACKGROUND
Despite the well-established physical and psychological benefit of physical activity, much of the population is not meeting recommended guidelines. Critical life transitions have been linked to physical activity decline and it follows that targeting those in transition is prudent. Early career professionals are one such critical demographic. Given the stress, demands, and time constraints that come with shifting to the workforce, it can be difficult to follow through on physical activity intentions. As such, an intervention designed to incorporate intention translation, mitigate incidental affect, and foster emotion regulation is warranted. This study will examine the feasibility of an accessible online intervention. Qualitative analysis will assist with refining the intervention and the protocol. Progression criteria will be used to determine whether revisions should be considered before proceeding to a definitive randomized controlled trial.
TARGET POPULATION
Early career professionals, operationalized as adults aged 25-44 and working at a desk-based job.
DESIGN
An open parallel feasibility randomized controlled trial will compare an online intervention condition to a waitlist control condition. This study features a controlled baseline with a post-intervention (6 weeks) evaluative design with an embedded qualitative and quantitative process evaluation.
INTERVENTION
Participants will be randomized to 1) a waitlist control group and 2) and Online Platform Intervention group.
Condition one: Waitlist control group representing the comparator. The control group will complete the baseline and final questionnaires. Following study completion, this group has the option of gaining access to the online platform for their own benefit.
Condition two: Intervention group. Those in the intervention condition will gain access to the online platform after completing a baseline questionnaire. Participants will engage in a self-guided 6 week program made up of weekly lessons. A 'booster session' will be offered at 3 weeks to check in regarding progress and engagement. A follow-up survey will be completed at 6 weeks, post-intervention. Participants will be invited to complete a qualitative semi-structured exit interview following final questionnaire completion.
- Conditions
- Health Promotion, Physical Activity
- Being tested
- Digital Health Behaviour Change Platform
- Keywords
- Emotion Regulation, Intention-behaviour Gap, Early Career Professionals
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity, Emotional Regulation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Digital Health Behaviour Change PlatformBehavioural
Participants will gain access to 6 weekly lessons.
A series of 6 weekly educational modules including information on psychosocial determinants of physical activity engagement, adherence and maintenance, as well as corresponding behaviour change techniques and a number of other tools and strategies, such as reflection activities, quizzes, and worksheets. Mini podcasts are available to supplement the concepts introduced in the modules. The content is tailored for early career professionals. There will be an emphasis on tactics (e.g., mindfulness, acceptance, emotion regulation) to assist with overcoming incidental affect.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | An online, asynchronous, self-paced, 6-week long, physical activity intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Digital Health Behaviour Change Platform |
| Control | No intervention | A waitlist control; continue with life/activity as usual. Control participants will receive access to the intervention at 6 weeks following all measurements. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Recruitment rate (monthly)
Primary outcome related to trial feasibility
Measured: 4 months (at study completion)
Participant retention
Primary outcome related to trial feasibility
Measured: 6 weeks
Adherence and engagement
Primary outcome related to trial feasibility
Measured: 6 Weeks
Study satisfaction and acceptabiity
Primary outcome related to trial acceptability
Measured: 6 Weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Self-reported physical activity
measured using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ)
Measured: 6 weeks
Emotion regulation
Adapted from DERS-16 (Bjureberg et al., 2016)
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Sep 2022
- Study start18 Feb 2022
- Primary completion15 Jun 2023
- Study completion30 Jun 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Health PromotionStudies 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Victoria
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ryan Rhodes, University of Victoria
- Investigators
- Stina J Grant, BA, Study director, University of VictoriaRyan E Rhodes, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Victoria
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05557071
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20-0412
- Status last verified
- Aug 2023
- First submitted
- 18 Sep 2022
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Grant SJ, Liu S, Rhodes RE. A web-based physical activity intervention targeting affect regulation: a randomized feasibility trial. Psychol Health. 2025 Dec;40(12):2013-2035. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2024.2372658. Epub 2024 Jun 30.
PubMed 38946146
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Increasing Physical Activity Among Early Career Professionals: A Feasibility Trial of an Online Intervention
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05557071
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 20-0412
- Conditions
- Health Promotion, Physical Activity
- Keywords
- Emotion Regulation, Intention-behaviour Gap, Early Career Professionals
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of VictoriaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 18 Feb 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Sep 2022 (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.
Physical activity promotion remains a public health priority and accessible and scalable interventions are needed. Early career professionals are at-risk for inactivity and therefore a critical target for physical activity promotion. An online delivery format made up of web-based lessons and podcasts meets accessibility needs for this time-pressed population and has strong potential for reach.
This study explores the feasibility of a theory-based intervention which accounts for action control, namely by leveraging the the Multi-Process Action Control framework (M-PAC) and targeting factors such as incidental affect (e.g., work-related stress) through emotion regulation strategies grounded in the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
The primary objective of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week web-based physical activity behaviour change program for early career professionals. Primary outcomes include rates of recruitment, attention, adherence as well as study satisfaction and intervention acceptability. Secondary measures will include physical activity and emotion regulation. Additional measures will explore Multi-Process Action Control constructs, perceived stress, applied mindfulness, action and acceptance, and valued living.
Detailed description
BACKGROUND
Despite the well-established physical and psychological benefit of physical activity, much of the population is not meeting recommended guidelines. Critical life transitions have been linked to physical activity decline and it follows that targeting those in transition is prudent. Early career professionals are one such critical demographic. Given the stress, demands, and time constraints that come with shifting to the workforce, it can be difficult to follow through on physical activity intentions. As such, an intervention designed to incorporate intention translation, mitigate incidental affect, and foster emotion regulation is warranted. This study will examine the feasibility of an accessible online intervention. Qualitative analysis will assist with refining the intervention and the protocol. Progression criteria will be used to determine whether revisions should be considered before proceeding to a definitive randomized controlled trial.
TARGET POPULATION
Early career professionals, operationalized as adults aged 25-44 and working at a desk-based job.
DESIGN
An open parallel feasibility randomized controlled trial will compare an online intervention condition to a waitlist control condition. This study features a controlled baseline with a post-intervention (6 weeks) evaluative design with an embedded qualitative and quantitative process evaluation.
INTERVENTION
Participants will be randomized to 1) a waitlist control group and 2) and Online Platform Intervention group.
Condition one: Waitlist control group representing the comparator. The control group will complete the baseline and final questionnaires. Following study completion, this group has the option of gaining access to the online platform for their own benefit.
Condition two: Intervention group. Those in the intervention condition will gain access to the online platform after completing a baseline questionnaire. Participants will engage in a self-guided 6 week program made up of weekly lessons. A 'booster session' will be offered at 3 weeks to check in regarding progress and engagement. A follow-up survey will be completed at 6 weeks, post-intervention. Participants will be invited to complete a qualitative semi-structured exit interview following final questionnaire completion.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Digital Health Behaviour Change PlatformAn online, asynchronous, self-paced, 6-week long, physical activity intervention. |
| Control | No intervention | –A waitlist control; continue with life/activity as usual. Control participants will receive access to the intervention at 6 weeks following all measurements. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 44 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- English speaking adults, aged 25-44, living in Canada, currently employed at least part-time in a desk-based job, currently not meeting physical activity guidelines, no contraindications to safely increase physical activity, access to the internet and a device to support the e-health application
- Report no contraindications to physical activity (based on the completion of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire administered at screening)
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- No internet access, unable to speak/read English, meeting physical activity guidelines, existing chronic medical condition making them at risk of injury or ill health from increased physical activity
- No exclusion criteria for sex, gender, medications, race or religion will be applied.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Health Behaviour Change PlatformParticipants will gain access to 6 weekly lessons. A series of 6 weekly educational modules including information on psychosocial determinants of physical activity engagement, adherence and maintenance, as well as corresponding behaviour change techniques and a number of other tools and strategies, such as reflection activities, quizzes, and worksheets. Mini podcasts are available to supplement the concepts introduced in the modules. The content is tailored for early career professionals. There will be an emphasis on tactics (e.g., mindfulness, acceptance, emotion regulation) to assist with overcoming incidental affect. | Behavioural | Intervention |
Primary outcome
Recruitment rate (monthly)
Time frame: 4 months (at study completion)
Primary outcome related to trial feasibility
Participant retention
Time frame: 6 weeks
Primary outcome related to trial feasibility
Adherence and engagement
Time frame: 6 Weeks
Primary outcome related to trial feasibility
Study satisfaction and acceptabiity
Time frame: 6 Weeks
Primary outcome related to trial acceptability
2 secondary outcomes
Self-reported physical activity
Time frame: 6 weeks
Emotion regulation
Time frame: 6 weeks
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 1 Sep 2023.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38946146Grant SJ, Liu S, Rhodes RE. A web-based physical activity intervention targeting affect regulation: a randomized feasibility trial. Psychol Health. 2025 Dec;40(12):2013-2035. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2024.2372658. Epub 2024 Jun 30.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Stina J Grant, BA study director
University of Victoria
Ryan E Rhodes, PhD principal investigator
University of Victoria
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Digital Health Behaviour Change Platform in people with Health Promotion and Physical Activity, run by University of Victoria at 1 site in Canada.
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 1 Sep 2023. 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 Canada. 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?
Recruitment rate (monthly) (time frame: 4 months (at study completion)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT05557071, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 1 Sep 2023.