RecruitingNot Applicable

Increasing Physical Activity Through Social Support and Stress Resilience

United States86 participantsStarted 2025-06-23

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn the effects of technology enhancements when combined with basic education, goal-setting, and self-monitoring to increase physical activity among older adults living alone, experiencing subjective cognitive decline, and currently engaging minimal physical activity (60 minutes or less of moderate to vigorous physical activity). Further, we will examine key psychosocial mechanisms believed to contribute to successful promotion of physical activity, which include social support and stress resilience. The primary questions are to determine whether * the tech-enhanced condition lead to greater physical activity over time? * the tech-enhanced condition lead to social support and stress resilience over time? * social support and stress resilience mediate the relationship between the study condition and physical activity? All participants will engage in self-monitoring of physical activity, will receive weekly text reminders of their physical activity goals for the week, and will receive basic education about the importance of physical activity, social support, and stress resilience for cognitive, physical, and psychological health. Participants in the tech-enhanced condition will also receive access to a study-specific website and virtual coaching to reinforce the information presented. Researchers will then compare the tech-enhanced condition to the basic education condition to determine the benefits of technology to deliver the intervention materials in order to increase physical activity, social support, and stress resilience. Participants will: * Use a Garmin wearable device to monitor their physical activity * Be randomly assigned to a basic education condition or tech-enhanced condition * Set achievable goals for weekly physical activity, with incremental increases to achieve 7000 average daily steps by the end of the study * Respond to surveys to monitor their social support, stress resilience, quality of life, and depression. The sample has several risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: low physical activity, social isolation risk via living alone, and subjective cognitive impairment. Therefore, a long-term goal includes the determination of the intervention's effectiveness at increasing physical activity, social support, and stress resilience to reduce risk for developing dementia.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 60 years or older * Living alone and community dwelling * Engaging in 60 minutes or less per week of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at screening (based on Exercise Vital Sign Questionnaire) * Self-reported decline in cognitive functioning * Self-reported ownership of/willingness to use a smartphone with an iOS or Android operating system (necessary for participants to track their activity using a wearable activity monitor). * Able to read and speak in English. We hope to offer the intervention in Spanish in the future; however, currently, the study materials are only available in English, and participation will require ability to read and respond to study materials. Exclusion Criteria: * Endorsing an item on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), unless a physician's note is provided * Resting blood pressure greater than 200/110 mmHG as assessed at the baseline study assessment (unless a physician's note is provided) * Plans to relocate out of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona area in the next 6 months * Participation in another physical activity, nutrition or weight loss program at time of screening or at any time during the intervention * Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as determined by either a self-report of receiving a diagnosis of MCI from a health care provider or as assessed by the Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) at the Baseline Session. A score \< 18 is an exclusion cri…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in physical activity as measured by average daily steps (and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity) from baseline to 3-months

Timeframe: Assessed at baseline and 3-months

Change in self-reported physical activity

Timeframe: Assessed at baseline and 3-months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06896825

SponsorArizona State University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-03

Contact for this trial

Molly Maxfield, PhD

602-496-2311 Molly.Maxfield@asu.edu

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