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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02785107

Exercise Habit and M-PAC

The promotion of physical activity (PA) is paramount to public health, yet interventions in the social cognitive tradition have yielded negligible improvements. Two reasons for these results may be the over reliance on intention as the proximal determinant of behaviour and a lack of consideration of implicit/automatic determinants of PA. The purpose of this study was to apply Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC), a framework centered on PA intention-translation and the gradual building of habit to examine PA change using a two-arm parallel design, randomized controlled trial.

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Key information

Conditions

Public Health Behavior Habits Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2 / Phase 3

Primary location

University of Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada

About this study

Background: Two of the most prominent limitations of traditional social cognitive models used to understand moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are the gap between intention and behaviour and the lack of consideration of implicit processes in behavioural enactment. Thus, new models are now being examined that attempt to consider these potential limitations. Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) is one such attempt to build a more comprehensive schematic, whereby intention is established via the means of constructs from traditional social cognitive theories (i.e., outcome expectations, perceived capability), but the success of translating this intention to behaviour depends on behavioural-regulation (self-regulatory tactics) (BR), affective judgments (expected pleasure) (AJ) and opportunity (time, access). Over time, M-PAC proposes that habit (stimulus -behaviour bonds) and identity (role-behaviour bonds) develop from performing the behaviour and largely contribute to the maintenance of PA.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to conduct at two-arm parallel design, RCT to determine if the M-PAC experimental group would demonstrate greater change in PA and post-intention constructs across time.

Methods: Participants (n=94) were inactive new gym members and were randomized into a control or M-PAC experimental group. The experimental group attended a workshop and received a booster phone call follow-up at week four. Measures for both groups included accelerometry and M-PAC at baseline and at week eight.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • New gym member
  • age 18-65
  • Par-Q pass

Exclusion criteria

  • age <18 or 65+
  • Par-Q fail

Treatment and study plan

M-PAC Group

Behavioral

Participants attended a workshop, completed a worksheet and received a booster phone call follow-up at week four.

Primary outcomes

  1. GT3X+ Actigraph Activity Monitors (for measuring physical activity)

    Time frame: Baseline to week eight

    Participants wear accelerometers for one week at baseline and at week eight to record their physical activity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Self-Report Behavioural Automaticity Index (self report, survey question)

    Time frame: Baseline, week four, week eight

    The Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index (SRBAI) was used to assess preparatory habit. The SRBAI consists of 4 items on a 5-point Likert scale with 1 being strongly disagree to 5 being strongly agree. The question stem stated ''When I prepare to exercise…'' which was then followed by four items on the scale: ''I do it without having to consciously remember'', ''I do it automatically'', ''I do it without thinking'', and ''I start before I realize I am doing it''.

Other outcomes

  1. Environmental Cues (self report, survey question)

    Time frame: Baseline, week four, week eight

    The following item was used to assess if participants implemented the use of cues: "I use cues at home to remind me to exercise (e.g. placing a water bottle on my desk or gym clothes on the bed). The item was rated on a five point Likert scale which ranged from "1=strongly disagree" to "5= strongly agree".

  2. Temporal Consistency (self report, survey question)

    Time frame: Baseline, week four, week eight

    The item was worded "How consistently do you exercise at the same time each day? (e.g., exercising every morning at 7 am, or exercising daily after supper)". The question was asked on a five point Likert scale which range from "1=not consistent at all" to "5=very consistent".

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Victoria

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Facilitating an Exercise Habit Via the Multi-Process Action Control Model: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
May 27, 2016
Registry last updated
Jun 1, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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