MoST-Influenced Behavioral Intervention for Walking

NCT ID: NCT05425641

Last Updated: 2025-10-08

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

624 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-09-12

Study Completion Date

2026-06-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study is a randomized, factorial experiment using the basic Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) approach to efficiently test the effects of four distinct behavior change techniques (BCTs), goal setting, action planning, self- monitoring and feedback, thought to engage one key behavioral mechanism of action (MoA) for improving daily walking by at least 1000 steps per day in persons who have been objectively verified as sedentary and are at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

This study is a randomized, factorial experiment using the basic Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) approach to efficiently test the effects of four distinct behavior change techniques (BCTs), goal setting, action planning, self- monitoring and feedback, hypothesized to engage one key behavioral mechanism of action (MoA-self-efficacy for walking) for improving daily walking by at least 1000 steps per day in persons who have been objectively verified as sedentary and are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants who self-report themselves as physically sedentary and possess at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease are eligible for a 4-week baseline period in which they must demonstrate adherence to Fitbit activity tracking use, completion of survey measures, and be objectively verified as sedentary. Participants who successfully complete baseline will proceed to the 8-week intervention phase of the study. They will be randomized to one of 16 possible intervention arms and receive one or more behavior change techniques shown to be efficacious in promoting greater physical activity. Behavior change techniques will be delivered via text message each morning with the goal of increasing low intensity physical activity by walking 1,000 steps more than the baseline step average. One group (control) will not receive any BCT messages. Upon completion of the intervention phase, participants will continue to have their step counts continuously monitored during the 12-week follow-up phase. All participants will complete bi-weekly surveys throughout the entire duration of the study (baseline, intervention, follow-up).

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Cardiovascular Diseases Physical Inactivity

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

FACTORIAL

The study uses a factorial design to randomize participants to all combinations of 4 behavior change techniques (BCTs). There will also be a control group which will receive no BCT intervention.
Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Goal Setting and Action Planning and Self-Monitoring and Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting, Action Planning, Self-Monitoring, and Feedback behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Goal Setting and Action Planning and Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting, Action Planning, and Feedback behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Goal Setting and Self-Monitoring and Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting, Self-Monitoring, and Feedback behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Goal Setting and Action Planning, and Self-Monitoring

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting, Action Planning, and Self-Monitoring behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Action Planning and Self-Monitoring, and Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning, Self-Monitoring, and Feedback behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Goal Setting and Action Planning

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting and Action Planning behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Goal Setting and Self-Monitoring

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting and Self-Monitoring behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Goal Setting and Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting and Feedback behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Action Planning and Self-Monitoring

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning and Self-Monitoring behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Action Planning and Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning and Feedback behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Self-Monitoring and Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring and Feedback behavior change techniques (BCTs) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Goal Setting

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages with the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Action Planning

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages with the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Action Planning

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Self-Monitoring

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages with the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Feedback

Participants in this arm will receive daily text messages with the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Feedback on Behavior

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Control

Participants in this arm will not receive any daily BCT text messages. Instead, individuals receive daily text messages with the text "Please acknowledge that you have received this text message."

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Goal Setting

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Goal Setting behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Goal Setting BCT is "Is your goal to walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average?".

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Action Planning

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Action Planning behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Action Planning BCT is "Take one minute and plan for today how, where and when you can walk an extra 1,000 steps more than your baseline average. Have you planned for today?"

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Self-Monitoring of Behavior

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Self-Monitoring behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Self-Monitoring BCT is "Check your fitbit for yesterday. Type in the number of steps you did yesterday."

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Feedback on Behavior

Individuals will receive daily text messages that include the Feedback behavior change technique (BCT) with the goal of increasing daily walking by 1,000 more steps than their baseline average step count. An example of the Feedback BCT is "Your goal is to walk 1000 steps more than your baseline average. Yesterday you did not meet your goal. If you think this is incorrect you can check your step count from yesterday on your Fitbit app to confirm. "

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18 - 74 years old of age
* Self-reported physical inactivity
* Objectively determined to be sedentary in baseline
* Possess at least one risk factor for CVD
* Report they are in good general health and have never been informed by a clinician that it was not advisable/safe to participate in a low-intensity walking program
* Owns and can regularly access a smartphone capable of receiving text messages
* Owns and can regularly access an e-mail account

Exclusion Criteria

* \< 18 years old or \> 74 years old
* Have self-reported poor health, limited mobility and/or have been advised by a clinician not to increase their low-intensity walking
* Previously diagnosed with a heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or received a stent
* Inability to comply with study protocol during 4 week baseline period
* Pregnancy
* Previous diagnosis of a serious mental health condition or psychiatric disorder, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
* Cognitive impairment
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

74 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Columbia University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Northwell Health

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Karina W Davidson, PhD, MASc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Northwell Health

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Institute of Health System Science

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Goodwin AM, Gordon S, Sahni R, Vicari F, Accardi K, Crusco S, Duer-Hefele J, Friel C, Suls J, Cheung YK, Vrany EA, Davidson KW. Influencing basic behavioral mechanisms of action while targeting daily walking in sedentary adults at risk for cardiovascular disease: randomised factorial design protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Jan 4;15(1):e080307. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080307.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 39755564 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Download supplemental materials such as informed consent forms, study protocols, or participant manuals.

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

R01HL153810

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

21- 0467

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.