Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)

Walking interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity amongst physically inactive employees. However, despite their promising potential regarding sustainability and scalability, peer-led workplace walking interventions have not been tested. We evaluated a peer-led workplace group wa...

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Main Authors: Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie, Quested, Eleanor, Smith, B.S., Nicholas, Joanna, McVeigh, Joanne, Fenton, S.A.M., Stamatakis, E., Parker, Sharon, Pereira, Gavin, Gucciardi, Daniel, Ntoumanis, Nikos
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/78206
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author Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
Quested, Eleanor
Smith, B.S.
Nicholas, Joanna
McVeigh, Joanne
Fenton, S.A.M.
Stamatakis, E.
Parker, Sharon
Pereira, Gavin
Gucciardi, Daniel
Ntoumanis, Nikos
author_facet Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
Quested, Eleanor
Smith, B.S.
Nicholas, Joanna
McVeigh, Joanne
Fenton, S.A.M.
Stamatakis, E.
Parker, Sharon
Pereira, Gavin
Gucciardi, Daniel
Ntoumanis, Nikos
author_sort Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Walking interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity amongst physically inactive employees. However, despite their promising potential regarding sustainability and scalability, peer-led workplace walking interventions have not been tested. We evaluated a peer-led workplace group walking intervention designed to engage physically inactive employees. A 16-week pilot cluster randomized controlled trial consisted of enhanced (5 worksites; n = 50 participants) and minimal treatment (3 worksites; n = 47) conditions. All participants were provided with a Fitbit Zip and information on health benefits of walking. Enhanced treatment participants had access to a mobile phone app incorporating behavior change techniques, were trained on principles of autonomous motivation, and had a peer leader trained in a motivationally supportive communication style. Feasibility assessments included recruitment and drop-out rates, assessment completion rates, training acceptability (walkers and peer leaders), and intervention acceptability (walkers only). Outcomes assessed included movement-related behaviors (assessed via activPAL devices), cardio-metabolic risk factors, motivation to walk, and well-being, and these measures were taken at baseline and post-intervention. The results supported intervention feasibility. Preliminary efficacy evidence was mixed. Markers of cardio-metabolic risk improved in the enhanced treatment only. Autonomous motivation increased in both conditions. There were no changes in step counts, standing, and sitting time, or well-being. Further fine tuning is needed before a definitive RCT. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000807257.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-782062021-03-04T01:38:46Z Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial) Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie Quested, Eleanor Smith, B.S. Nicholas, Joanna McVeigh, Joanne Fenton, S.A.M. Stamatakis, E. Parker, Sharon Pereira, Gavin Gucciardi, Daniel Ntoumanis, Nikos Motivational training Peer leader Physical activity Self-determination theory Walking interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity amongst physically inactive employees. However, despite their promising potential regarding sustainability and scalability, peer-led workplace walking interventions have not been tested. We evaluated a peer-led workplace group walking intervention designed to engage physically inactive employees. A 16-week pilot cluster randomized controlled trial consisted of enhanced (5 worksites; n = 50 participants) and minimal treatment (3 worksites; n = 47) conditions. All participants were provided with a Fitbit Zip and information on health benefits of walking. Enhanced treatment participants had access to a mobile phone app incorporating behavior change techniques, were trained on principles of autonomous motivation, and had a peer leader trained in a motivationally supportive communication style. Feasibility assessments included recruitment and drop-out rates, assessment completion rates, training acceptability (walkers and peer leaders), and intervention acceptability (walkers only). Outcomes assessed included movement-related behaviors (assessed via activPAL devices), cardio-metabolic risk factors, motivation to walk, and well-being, and these measures were taken at baseline and post-intervention. The results supported intervention feasibility. Preliminary efficacy evidence was mixed. Markers of cardio-metabolic risk improved in the enhanced treatment only. Autonomous motivation increased in both conditions. There were no changes in step counts, standing, and sitting time, or well-being. Further fine tuning is needed before a definitive RCT. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000807257. 2020 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/78206 10.1016/j.cct.2020.105969 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ fulltext
spellingShingle Motivational training
Peer leader
Physical activity
Self-determination theory
Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
Quested, Eleanor
Smith, B.S.
Nicholas, Joanna
McVeigh, Joanne
Fenton, S.A.M.
Stamatakis, E.
Parker, Sharon
Pereira, Gavin
Gucciardi, Daniel
Ntoumanis, Nikos
Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)
title Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)
title_full Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)
title_fullStr Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)
title_short Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial)
title_sort feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: a pilot cluster randomized trial (the start trial)
topic Motivational training
Peer leader
Physical activity
Self-determination theory
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/78206