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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01575262

The Physical Activity Loyalty Card Scheme

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using incentives to encourage adults to be physically active.

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Key information

Conditions

Health Behavior Behavior Motor Activity Physical Activity

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2 / Phase 3

Primary location

Queen's University Belfast

Belfast, Antrim, BT12 6BJ, United Kingdom

About this study

The investigators developed the Physical Activity Loyalty Card (PAL) Scheme which integrates a novel physical activity tracking system with web-based monitoring and nudge initiatives. The tracking system used Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology and a "loyalty card" (PAL Card) which contained a passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. Sensors were placed along footpaths in the outdoor environment, in the gym and exercise studio, and participants scanned their PAL card at the sensor when doing physical activity (e.g. walking). A transaction (card ID, sensor ID, and timestamp) was recorded and sent via SMS to a secure data centre. Participants logged onto a personal account on the study website (www.palcard.co.uk) and received real-time feedback on various aspects of their physical activity including minutes, distance and calories expended.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • males and females
  • aged 18-65 years old
  • able to complete 15 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity
  • based at least 4 days per week (and 6 hours per day) at worksite

Exclusion criteria

  • advised by General Practitioner not to participate in exercise

Treatment and study plan

Non-cash incentives

Behavioral

Participants used their PAL card to self-monitor physical activity levels (intrinsic motivation) and minutes of physical activity were converted to points (1 minute of PA = 1 point; capped at 30 points per day) over the 12-week intervention period. Points were redeemed for rewards (extrinsic motivation) at week 6 and week 12.

Self-monitoring physical activity levels

Behavioral

For those in the 'No Incentive' arm, participants used their PAL card to self-monitor their physical activity levels but did not collect points or earn rewards.

Primary outcomes

  1. Physical activity

    Time frame: baseline, week 12 and 6 months

    change in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ); MVPA using an objective physical activity measure (physical activity tracking system)

Secondary outcomes

  1. SF-8

    Time frame: baseline, week 12 and 6 months

    health

  2. Euroqol 5D

    Time frame: baseline, week 12 and 6 months

    Quality of life

  3. Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale

    Time frame: baseline, week 12 and 6 months

    Physical activity self-efficacy

  4. Work absenteeism

    Time frame: baseline, week 12 and 6 months

    Number of sick days from work

  5. Exit questionnaire

    Time frame: week 12

    Participant satisfaction with study involvement

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Queen's University, Belfast

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Physical Activity Loyalty Card Scheme: A Randomised Controlled Trial to Encourage Physical Activity

Acronym: PAL

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
Apr 11, 2012
Registry last updated
Apr 11, 2012

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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