"Step by Step": promoting lunchtime walking to increase physical activity and improve mental well-being in sedentary employees

ISRCTN	ISRCTN81504663
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN81504663
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT)	NCT01150084
Protocol serial number	TBF-08-004
Sponsor	University of Birmingham (UK)
Funder	BUPA Foundation (UK)

Submission date: 25/06/2010
Registration date: 10/08/2010
Last edited: 29/08/2018

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Other

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Cecilie Thogersen-Ntoumani
Scientific

School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
College of Life and Environmental Sciences
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Randomised waiting list controlled feasibility study
Secondary study design	Randomised controlled trial
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title	"Step by Step": a feasibility study of the promotion of lunchtime walking to increase physical activity and improve mental well-being in sedentary employees
Study acronym	Step by Step
Study objectives	To examine the feasibility of a sixteen-week lunchtime walking intervention designed to 1. Promote regular walking, and 2. Improve psycho-social well-being and work performance in sedentary employees
Ethics approval(s)	University of Birmingham Life and Health Sciences Ethical Review Committee approved on the 31st March 2009 (ref: ERN_09-154)
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Physical inactivity/sedentary lifestyles
Intervention	A sixteen week randomised controlled trial, in which eligible participants will be randomised to an intervention and a waiting-list control group (to start at 10 weeks). The intervention will consist of a group support phase (weeks 1 - 10) and an independence phase (weeks 11 - 16). During the group-support phase, the participants will be asked to join in three weekly lunchtime walks of thirty minutes duration in a facilitator-led group (maximum of 12 per group), and will be challenged to accumulate 60 minutes of walking during the weekend. This would meet national recommendations of 150 minutes/week. The participants will be prompted to add their daily step count in log books at the end of every day. They will also receive two autonomy-supportive messages via a provided smartphone (used for monitoring and motivational purposes) per week during the group phase. During the independence phase, the group walks will cease to exist on a formal basis, and the participants will be encouraged to engage in a minimum of three weekly lunchtime walks plus two in the week-ends. Formation of smaller informal groups will be recommended. Three weekly autonomy-supportive messages will be provided.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	1. Step counts: measured daily (week 1 - 16) 2. Numbers of walks attended: measured weekly (week 1 - 10)
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	1. Job affect 2. Momentary job satisfaction: measured twice per day on two days per week (weeks 1 - 16) 3. Self-reported and manager ratings of work performance: measured at baseline (week 0) and week 17 4. Life satisfaction: measured at week 0, week 17 and 4 month follow-up 5. Subjective vitality: measured at week 0, week 17 and 4 month follow-up 6. Cardiovascular fitness: measured at week 0 and week 17 7. Self-reported levels of physical activity: measured at week 0, week 17 and 4 month follow-up
Completion date	01/03/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Healthy volunteer
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Upper age limit	65 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	68
Key inclusion criteria	1. Healthy 2. Mobile 3. Aged 18 - 65 years, either sex 4. Employed in a sedentary job 5. Engaging in less than 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity five times per week
Key exclusion criteria	1. Significant auditory or visual problems 2. Severe musculoskeletal disorders that prevent them from engaging in physical activity 3. Medical clearance will be requested for those who report any cardiovascular disease
Date of first enrolment	07/09/2009
Date of final enrolment	01/03/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

United Kingdom
England

Study participating centre

University of Birmingham

Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Results article	results	01/12/2015		Yes	No
Protocol article	protocol	27/09/2010		Yes	No
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

29/08/2018: Publication reference added.