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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02562937

Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in University Students Using Text Messages

The primary purpose of the current study was to determine whether a text message intervention would increase break frequency and length of break from sitting, time spent standing, and time spent in light and moderate intensity physical activity in university students

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Key information

Conditions

Sedentary Lifestyle Behavior Sedentary Behavior

Age range

18 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Sedentary behaviour (SB) has been linked to many health problems (e.g., type 2 diabetes, heart disease). Interventions aimed at office workers, overweight and obese individuals have proven successful in reducing SB; however, no studies have examined university students.Text message-based interventions have succeeded to aid in smoking cessation and increase both physical activity and healthy eating, but have not been shown to reduce SB. Eighty-two university students were randomized into intervention (SB related text messages) or control (text messages unrelated to SB) groups. Participants received daily text messages and reported various SBs (i.e., breaks from sitting, standing, light and moderate intensity physical activity) at four time points (baseline, 2, 4 and 6 weeks).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • be able to read and write English
  • own a cell phone with unlimited incoming text messages
  • be a student at Western University

Exclusion criteria

  • be under 18 or over 64

Treatment and study plan

text messages related to sedentary behaviour

Behavioral

texts sent twice daily encouraging reduced sedentary behaviour

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in length of break from sitting in minutes

    Time frame: baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks

  2. Change in frequency of break from sitting in minutes

    Time frame: baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks

  3. Change in minutes spent standing

    Time frame: baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks

  4. Change in minutes spent in light intensity physical activity

    Time frame: baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks

  5. Change in minutes spent in moderate intensity physical activity

    Time frame: baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in self-efficacy for sedentary behaviour measured by percentage of confidence

    Time frame: baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks

    purpose-built self-efficacy questionnaire used to rate how confident one feels in reducing sedentary behaviour

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Western University, Canada

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Reducing Sedentary Behaviour In University Students Using A Text Message-Based Intervention

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Sep 29, 2015
Registry last updated
Sep 29, 2015

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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