Use of a smartphone app combined with beacons and gamification to increase the level of physical activity of adults and older adults: a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial

• Grant number: 18/21536-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2020
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Victor Zuniga Dourado
• Grantee: Maria Do Socorro Morais Pereira Simões
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background There is scientific evidence suggesting that app-based interventions targeted to increase the level of physical activity might be effective, although multi-component interventions appear to be more effective than app-based interventions alone. Despite the motivating results, it remains unclear whether or not app-based interventions can increase the level of physical activity and cardiovascular health in Brazil. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a smartphone app combined with gamification on the level of physical activity of adults and older adults. The specific aims are: to verify the effects of the intervention on cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function, and cardiorespiratory fitness; to verify the relationship between age group and the response rate; to identify barriers and facilitators to increase the level of physical activity; and to identify factors related to non-adherence. Methods This will be a single blinded randomized trial with adaptive intervention. Initially, participants will be randomized into 3 groups. The adaptive intervention protocol will last 3 months. In the middle of the third month, participants will be classified into responders and non-responders according to the increase on average number of daily steps; all those considered as non-responders will be re-randomized, with the chance to participate in a third group. Our hypothesis is that an app combined with beacon technology and based on behavior change techniques, will be an effective tool do increase the level of physical activity of adults and older adults. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DO SOCORRO MORAIS PEREIRA SIMOES, MARIA; WEHRMEISTER, FERNANDO CESAR; ROMITI, MARCELLO; DE TOLEDO GAGLIARDI, ANTONIO RICARDO; ARANTES, RODOLFO LEITE; DOURADO, VICTOR ZUNIGA. Effect Modification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Obesity, and Physical Activity in Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE, v. 43, n. 06, p. 6-pg., 2022-01-14. (11/07282-6, 18/21536-0, 18/11817-1)

DOURADO, V. Z.; NISHIAKA, R. K.; SIMOES, M. S. M. P.; LAURIA, V. T.; TANNI, S. E.; GODOY, I; GAGLIARDI, A. R. T.; ROMITI, M.; ARANTES, R. L.. Classification of cardiorespiratory fitness using the six-minute walk test in adults: Comparison with cardiopulmonary exercise testing. PULMONOLOGY, v. 27, n. 6, p. 500-508, NOV-DEC 2021. (11/07282-6, 18/11817-1, 18/21536-0)