Testing the Efficacy of OurSpace, a Brief, Group Dynamics-Based Physical Activity Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BackgroundEmerging technologies (ie, mobile phones, Internet) may be effective tools for promoting physical activity (PA). However, few interventions have provided effective means to enhance social support through these platforms. Face-to-face programs that use group dynamics-based principles of behavior change have been shown to be highly effective in enhancing social support through promoting group cohesion and PA, but to date, no studies have examined their effects in Web-based programs.ObjectiveThe aim was to explore proof of concept and test the efficacy of a brief, online group dynamics-based intervention on PA in a controlled experiment. We expected that the impact of the intervention on PA would be moderated by perceptions of cohesion and the partner’s degree of presence in the online media.MethodsParticipants (n=135) were randomized into same-sex dyads and randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: standard social support (standard), group dynamics-based–high presence, group dynamics-based–low presence, or individual control. Participants performed two sets of planking exercises (pre-post). Between sets, participants in partnered conditions interacted with a virtual partner using either a standard social support app or a group dynamics-based app (group dynamics-based–low presence and group dynamics-based–high presence), the latter of which they participated in a series of online team-building exercises. Individual participants were given an equivalent rest period between sets. To increase presence during the second set, participants in the group dynamics-based–high presence group saw a live video stream of their partner exercising. Perceptions of cohesion were measured using a modified PA Group Environment Questionnaire. Physical activity was calculated as the time persisted during set 2 after controlling for persistence in set 1.ResultsPerceptions of cohesion were higher in the group dynamics-based–low presence (overall mean 5.81, SD 1.04) condition compared to the standard (overall mean 5.04, SD 0.81) conditions (P=.006), but did not differ between group dynamics-based–low presence and group dynamics-based–high presence (overall mean 5.42, SD 1.07) conditions (P=.25). Physical activity was higher in the high presence condition (mean 64.48, SD 20.19, P=.01) than all other conditions (mean 53.3, SD 17.35).ConclusionsA brief, online group dynamics-based intervention may be an effective method of improving group cohesion in virtual PA groups. However, it may be insufficient on its own to improve PA.

Effectiveness of Social Media-Based Interventions for the Promotion of Physical Activity: Scoping Review

“…The search delivered 24 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) [ 8 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], 15 pilot studies [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ], 3 observational studies [ 55 , 56 , 57 ], and 1 quasi-experimental study that compared two groups but did not randomize its participants [ 58 ], and 3 systematic reviews [ 13 , 59 , 60 ]. The seven remaining publications presented results of secondary data analyses based on the included RCTs [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , ...…”

“…In 28 studies, a pre-existing social-media platform was used for intervention delivery [ 16 , 17 , 21 , 25 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ], whereas in eleven studies, a study-specific platform was developed exclusively for the purpose of the study [ 8 , 14 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 27 , 37 , 39 , 42 , 47 , 52 ]. Lastly, four studies incorporated a combination of a specifically designed app with the well-known social-media platform Facebook [ 15 , 26 , 29 , 44 ].…”

Advantages and challenges in using mobile apps for field experiments: A systematic review and a case study

“…In total, 16 studies utilized apps as an experiment platform, delivering experiment materials through different versions of the app. For instance, one study designed two versions of an app leveraging different theoretical concepts: a group dynamics-based app for establishing group exercise norms and an individual support app for receiving standard social support (Irwin, Kurz, Chalin, & Thompson, 2016). The results of this study not only show the effects of different apps under precise experiment control, but can also inform theory development.…”

Effectiveness of WhatsApp online group discussion for smoking relapse prevention: protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

“…Behavioral and social support via information technology for smoking relapse prevention is now more acceptable, affordable, and accessible than it has been in previous years. Online discussion platforms for promoting physical activity [12,13], a healthy diet [14], and reducing alcohol use [15,16] have been tested with RCTs. Several retrospective studies on the discussion content of the online social groups for smoking cessation have shown that this online chat-based intervention possibly increases motivation or quitting [6,[17][18][19][20], but no large RCTs have been conducted.…”