Attitudes And Opinions Towards A Personalized Trial Approach To Increase Physical Activity Among Older Adults

Reported outcomes from conventional, between-group randomized controlled trials are often based on a hypothetical average patient, limiting our understanding of individual responses to a given intervention. Personalized (N-of-1) trials offer a more tailored way to evaluate the efficacy for a given patient, but the acceptability of this trial design to participants is not well understood. PURPOSE: This study assessed the acceptability of an N-of-1 methodology to participants of a physical activity behavior change technique (BCT) intervention delivered at a large healthcare system. METHODS: The study lasted 10 weeks, comprising a two-week baseline period and eight-week intervention. Four BCTs were assessed (goal setting, action planning, self-monitoring of behavior, and feedback on behavior), each for 2 weeks. Participants used wearable monitors to assess physical activity, while text messages were used to deliver the BCT intervention and collect survey data. During the intervention, behavior change messages were sent daily. To collect attitudes and opinions towards a personalized trial approach, participants were asked to complete an 11-item survey at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Sixty participants aged 45-75 (91.67% women) enrolled, with only 1 withdrawal, and 58 completing the attitudes and opinions survey. A large majority of participants (95%) reported the study helped increase their walking activity and 97% stated they would recommend a personalized trial to increase walking. Participants held positive attitudes and opinions towards the personalized trial (see Figure 1), such as finding the technology easy to use, finding the trial not so burdensome, and enjoying receipt of the text messages. CONCLUSION: The personalized trial approach employed for this study was viewed very favorably by participants, suggesting an N-of-1 approach is suitable for physical activity behavior change interventions . Supported by NIA Grant 5P30AG063786-02