Internet-based health promotion programs have the potential to reach more individuals than in person interventions, without overtaxing healthcare resources. Having a high quality, user-centered web-based program can help maximize user engagement and adherence. Thus, the primary objective of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility, time, cost, and acceptability of a web-based physical activity behavior change program with Canadian Adults who have had to start practising/following the social distancing guidelines due to the COVID-19 situation. We will also be examining changes other behavioral indicators related to PA as a secondary outcome measure.
Background: Physical activity is associated with management and/or prevention of over 25
chronic health conditions; however the majority of adults in North America are not active
enough to experience these benefits. Behavioral strategies have been shown to be effective
for increasing physical activity, and our online platform includes components of several
behavioral strategies including goal setting and feedback.
Target Population: Participants will be Canadian adults over 18 who have
1. recently started practising social distancing due to our current COVID-19 situation
2. currently are participating in physical activity below Canadian recommended guidelines
(150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week).
3. Participants must have access to the Internet. Sample Size: 40 participants, 20
participants per group - (Control) 20 participants (intervention) Participants will be
excluded from the project if they do not have access to the Internet, are unable to
speak/read English, are not engaging in moderate-to vigorous PA (MVPA) sufficient to
meet the PA Guidelines, have an existing chronic medical condition potentially making
them at risk of injury or ill health from increasing their physical activity (assessed
using the GAQ. Screening will be completed formally over the phone, and participants
will give their consent online.
Condition one: Waitlist control group: One group (evenly representing Adults practising
social distancing) will complete the baseline and final questionnaires (online). At the end
of the study this group will have the option to receive access to the other group's materials
(online platform) if they wish, for the 6 week period following the study. Access to the
online platform is for study participant use and benefit only and no participant data/website
analytics will be collected at this point in the study.
Condition two: One group (evenly representing Adults practising social distancing) will
complete the online baseline questionnaire, and receive access to the online platform.
Briefly, the participants will be shown (via skype, Face time, Zoom or other alternate online
technology) how to use it .
At 3 weeks, a check-in session will occur, depending on what the participant prefers, a
researcher will arrange a virtual visit or phone call with the participant to chat about how
their physical activity has been going and to ensure the web application' usability. Again at
this point on-going consent will be secured. At 6 weeks a researcher will arrange a virtual
visit or phone call with the participant & ask them to complete the final online
questionnaire and do a wrap up interview. The end-of-trial qualitative interview will
evaluate participant satisfaction and feasibility of the intervention. For this reason a lab
employee unaffiliated with this study will complete these interviews via skype or alternate
technology. The interview will be audio-recorded transcribed verbatim. After the intervention
group participants have completed the 6 week online program, data collection will be complete
and while they may still access the platform for an additional 6 weeks, data collection from
participants or website use analytics will not be ongoing.
Behavioral: Digital Health Online Platform
The website has 10 lessons that the participant will gain access to on a bi-weekly basis. Lesson titles are as follows:
Lesson 1 - Benefits of Physical Activity on Chronic Disease Lesson 2 - Mental benefits of Physical Activities Lesson 3 - Increasing Self Confidence for Physical Activities Lesson 4 - Learning about your Emotions Lesson 5 - Building Social Support Lesson 6 - Building Physical Activity Opportunity Lesson 7 - Goal Setting and Planning Lesson 8 - Self Monitoring Lesson 9 - Habit Lesson 10 - Identity
Inclusion Criteria:
Potential participants will be included if they have:
1. started practising social distancing due to the current COVID-19 guidelines
2. are currently not meeting the physical activity (PA) guidelines (less than 150 minutes
of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity)
3. participants must have access to the internet at home, and have a smart phone or home
computer that can support the eHealth application we are using.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will be excluded from the project if:
1. they do not have access to the Internet,
2. are unable to speak/read English,
3. are engaging in moderate-to vigorous PA (MVPA) sufficient to meet the PA Guidelines,
4. have an existing chronic medical condition potentially making them at risk of injury
or ill health from increasing their physical activity (this will be assessed using the
GAQ. Screening completed formally over the phone, and participants will give their
consent online)
Behavioural Medicine Lab, University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada