The Role of a Virtual Coach in Improving Adherence to an Activity Program for Overweight Adults
NCT ID: NCT00792207
Last Updated: 2009-12-04
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
70 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2008-06-30
2008-09-30
Brief Summary
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This study is designed to examine the effect of a computer program called a "Virtual Coach" and find out if it helps people become more active. This program acts as a kind of a personal trainer and will give you feedback. All participants in the study will receive an activity monitor to wear during the study and a website to use to track activity. Half of the participants will also receive the virtual coach software. This software will have to be downloaded onto your computer, and we will ask that you check in with the coach using the software three times a week for 12 weeks. The group you will be placed in will be selected by chance.
Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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Intervention
Intervention Group:
The intervention being tested, the Virtual Coach, is an automated empathic computer agent which will run on patient's home computer and engage the patient in dialogues to deliver personalized feedback, education and coaching based on physiological data recorded by an activity monitor.
Virtual Coach software
The intervention being tested, the Virtual Coach, is an automated empathic computer agent which will run on patient's home computer and engage the patient in dialogues to deliver personalized feedback, education and coaching based on physiological data.
Control
The control group will use an activity monitor and will have access to a website to monitor activity, but will not receive the Virtual Coach program.
Activity monitor and website
The control group will use an activity monitor and a website to track activity levels.
Interventions
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Virtual Coach software
The intervention being tested, the Virtual Coach, is an automated empathic computer agent which will run on patient's home computer and engage the patient in dialogues to deliver personalized feedback, education and coaching based on physiological data.
Activity monitor and website
The control group will use an activity monitor and a website to track activity levels.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* BMI between 25 and 35 inclusive (overweight and Class 1 obese subjects)
* PC Computer with an available USB port, speakers and high-speed internet access in a secure setting (home or private office)
* Fluency in English (spoken and written)
* Have a Primary Care Physician
* Answer "No" to all 7 questions on PAR-Q OR have letter from PCP clearing them to take part in study
Exclusion Criteria
* Cognitive impairment.
20 Years
55 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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Northeastern University
OTHER
FitSense/FitLinxx
UNKNOWN
Massachusetts General Hospital
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Center for Connected Health
Principal Investigators
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Alice Watson, MD,MPH
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Massachusetts General Hospital, Partners Center for Connected Health, Harvard Medical School
Locations
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Partners Health Care Center for Connected Health
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Countries
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References
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Watson A, Bickmore T, Cange A, Kulshreshtha A, Kvedar J. An internet-based virtual coach to promote physical activity adherence in overweight adults: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2012 Jan 26;14(1):e1. doi: 10.2196/jmir.1629.
Other Identifiers
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2007-P-001317/2;MGH
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id