Pedometers and Text Messaging to Increase Physical Activity Randomized controlled trial of adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Kirsty H. Newton; Esko J. Wiltshire; C. Raina Elley

doi:10.2337/dc08-1974

Pedometers and Text Messaging to Increase Physical Activity

Randomized controlled trial of adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Kirsty H. Newton, MPHC¹,
Esko J. Wiltshire, MD, FRACP² and
C. Raina Elley, MBCHB, FRNZCGP, PHD³

¹Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand;
²Department of Pediatrics, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand;
³Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Corresponding author: Kirsty H. Newton, kirsty.newton{at}ccdhb.org.nz

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To assess whether pedometers and text messaging increase physical activity in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 12-week randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 78 subjects participated in the trial (mean ± SD age 14.4 ± 2.37 years, 36 [47%] male). Intervention participants wore an open pedometer and received regular motivational text messages. Control participants received usual care. Primary outcomes were daily step count (4-day closed pedometer) and physical activity questionnaire.

RESULTS Baseline median step count was 11,063 steps/day (range 1,541–20,158). At 12 weeks, mean daily step count reduced by 840 (95% CI −1,947 to 266) in the control group and by 22 (−1,407 to 1,364) in the intervention group (P = 0.4). Mean self-reported moderate or vigorous physical activity increased by 38.5 min/week in the control group and by 48.4 in the intervention group (P = 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS A 12-week intervention using pedometers and text messaging as motivational tools in adolescents with type 1 diabetes did not increase physical activity.

Footnotes

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- Received November 3, 2008.
- Accepted February 10, 2009.
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