A text messaging intervention to promote physical activity habits
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10276604 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10276604 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Laboratoire motricité humaine et sport santé |
| Funders | Société Diagana sport santé (Diagana sport santé company), Fondation Française des Jeux (Fondation of Française des Jeux) |
- Submission date
- 06/07/2015
- Registration date
- 07/07/2015
- Last edited
- 20/10/2016
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Interventions (or programs) to promote physical activity (PA) often fail to show long-term effects, and the suspicion is that PA behaviors need to become habits in order to be maintained. Recent research on habits indicates that habit formation may be facilitated by repeated and consistent environmental cues. The aim of this study is to test how well text messaging cues (SMS) do at getting people into the habit of doing PA in the workplace.
Who can participate?
Employees of the Française des Jeux compagnie that do not currently do any exercise, have medical clearance to start an exercise program and are able to attend a fitness center for a 60 minute session twice a week.
What does the study involve?
The employees are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in group 1 (PA group) take part in a 28 day supervised PA program. Those in group 2 (PA+SMS group) take part in the same program and are sent text messaging cues before their PA sessions. The exercise habits of each participant is assessed every week by the Self-Report Behavioral Habit Index using an online application.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration.
Where is the study run from?
Francaise des Jeux, Vitrolles (France)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2013 to June 2015
Who is funding the study?
Société Diagana sport santé (Diagana sport santé company) and Fondation Française des Jeux (Fondation of Française des Jeux) (France)
Who is the main contact?
Mrs Marion Fournier
marion.fournier.nice@gmail.com
Contact information
Scientific
261 route de grenoble
Nice
06203
France
| Phone | +33643759198 |
|---|---|
| marion.fournier.nice@gmail.com |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized controlled trial (RCT) |
| Secondary study design | Randomised parallel trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Testing the effect of text messaging cues to promote physical activity habits: a worksite-based randomized controlled trial |
| Study acronym | Physical activity habits |
| Study objectives | To test the efficacy of text messaging cues (SMS) to promote physical activity (PA) habit formation in the workplace. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Commission scientifique de la faculté des sciences du sport de l'Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | We studied sedentary employees at their workplace. |
| Intervention | 1. Experimental: Physical activity + SMS group: The group attended 2 sessions of supervised physical activity sessions and received 4 SMS per week. All sessions were held at the same time of day (during lunch break) and on the same day of the week (Tuesday and Thursday). One session consisted of Nordic walking and the other consisted of circuit training. The session contents were individualized according to each individual's PA level using a heart rate monitor. The PA+SMS group received four text messages per week, always at the same time to favor cue consistency. For each session, one SMS was sent the evening before (7 pm) to remind and help the participants to plan their behavior 2. Active Comparator: Physical activity: The physical activity group attended two one-hour PA sessions per week supervised by two professional PA instructors. One session consisted of Nordic walking and the other consisted of circuit training. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Primary Outcome Measure: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Level of Physical activity using IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Time Frame: on October 2013, June 2014 and June 2015. Participants has to answer the IPAQ questionnaire by email three times to evaluate their physical activity level. |
| Completion date | 30/06/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 49 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Be employee of the Française des Jeux compagnie 2. Not be involved in any exercise training 3. Have a medical clearance to start an exercise program 4. Have the ability to attend the fitness center for a 60-min session twice a week |
| Key exclusion criteria | Being active according to the IPAQ |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/06/2013 |
| Date of final enrolment | 15/10/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- France
Study participating centre
Vitrolles
13127
France
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
20/10/2016: internal review.
