Text Messaging to Motivate Walking in Older African Americans : A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundOlder minority populations can benefit from increased physical activity, especially walking. Text messaging interventions have the potential to encourage positive changes in health behavior in these groups.PurposeTo examine if a 6-week program of motivational text messaging increases physical activity (step count) among older African Americans in an urban setting.DesignRCT pilot study with assignment to motivational text messaging group or a control group.Setting/participantsThirty-six African Americans aged 60–85 years.InterventionThe intervention group received motivational text messages three times a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. Both groups received pedometers and walking manuals to record step counts. The study was conducted and data were analyzed in 2011.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was step count. The secondary outcome measure was perceived activity levels assessed by the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ).ResultsThe group who received motivational text messages had greater improvements in step count (+679 vs +398; p<0.05) and perceived activity levels (p<0.05) than the group who did not receive text messages.ConclusionsMotivational text messaging three times a week for 6 weeks was effective in increasing step count and self-reported leisure time exercise behavior among older African Americans.RegistrationThis study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.govNCT01697475.