title: Text messaging to motivate walking in older African Americans: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Older minority populations can benefit from increased physical activity, especially walking. Text messaging interventions have the potential to encourage positive changes in health behavior in these groups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine if a 6-week program of motivational text messaging increases physical activity (step count) among older African Americans in an urban setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  RCT pilot study with assignment to motivational text messaging group or a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six African Americans aged 60-85 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group received motivational text messages three times a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. Both groups received pedometers and walking manuals to record step counts. The study was conducted and data were analyzed in 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was step count. The secondary outcome measure was perceived activity levels assessed by the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group who received motivational text messages had greater improvements in step count (+679 vs +398; p<0.05) and perceived activity levels (p<0.05) than the group who did not receive text messages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Motivational text messaging three times a week for 6 weeks was effective in increasing step count and self-reported leisure time exercise behavior among older African Americans.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.govNCT01697475.
authors.affiliation: Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington DC 20003, USA. bhk26@georgetown.edu
authors.forename: Bang Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Glanz
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D060145:Text Messaging; D014505:Urban Population; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*