NCT03826173

Positive Psychology for Physical Activity Promotion

Physical Activity Promotion Based on Positive Psychology: Development and Piloting of a Novel Intervention Approach

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 54 (actual)
• Sponsor: Brown University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is for physically inactive adults. Participants will be enrolled in the Positive Psychology and Physical Activity intervention designed to help them overcome barriers to physical activity, based on the principals of positive psychology. This will involve six weekly one-hour group-based sessions at a local YMCA with a trained group leader. In addition to the in-person sessions, there will be text messages sent to participants about physical activity that include positive psychology content.

Detailed description

The investigators propose to conduct a pilot study to test feasibility and proof-of-concept for a positive psychology intervention program to promote exercise among low-active overweight and obese adults. The program will be (a) a 6-week, group-based intervention, (b) delivered at local YMCAs, and (c) supplemented with text messaging. In an additive design, participants will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to PPPA (n = 40) versus a control intervention (n = 20) including only the standard PA promotion components of the PPPA intervention (i.e., PA education, self-monitoring, and goal-setting), with equal frequency of staff contact and text message delivery. All participants will be followed for 3 months, and will receive a 3-month YMCA membership to equate access to PA facilities. As a secondary aim the investigators will examine effect sizes for PPPA versus the standard PA intervention on putative mediators that may underlie the efficacy of PPPA in improving PA outcomes, including positive and negative affect, optimism, happiness, life satisfaction, social support for PA, and PA enjoyment. The proposed research will set the stage for an RCT to test a novel PA promotion intervention that can be readily disseminated.

Conditions

• Obesity
• Physical Activity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	PPPA	The intervention will focus on a) health benefits of PA, b) individualized PA intensity prescriptions and instruction on gauging PA intensity, c) goal-setting and self-monitoring, and d) tips on overcoming barriers to PA. Participants will be instructed to target 30-60 min/day 5 days/week of MVPA consistent with national guidelines. PA content will be concentrated in sessions 1 and 2, but content on goal-setting, self-monitoring, and overcoming barriers will continue throughout the 6-week period. The intervention includes activities that focus on identifying each individual's strengths, identifying/savoring positive experiences, engaging in constructive conversation, expressing gratitude, and strategies to maintain increased positive affect after the intervention has completed.
BEHAVIORAL	PA	The intervention will focus on (a) health benefits of PA, (b) individualized PA intensity prescriptions and instruction on how to gauge PA intensity, (c) goal-setting and self-monitoring, and (d) tips on overcoming barriers to PA, including time-management. Participants will be instructed to target 30-60 min/day 5 days/week of MVPA consistent with national guidelines. PA content will be concentrated in sessions 1 and 2, but content on goal-setting, self-monitoring, and overcoming barriers will continue throughout the 6-week period.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-10-26
• Primary completion: 2020-07-08
• Completion: 2020-07-08
• First posted: 2019-02-01
• Last updated: 2023-04-04
• Results posted: 2023-04-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States