title: Randomized Trial of a Fitbit-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Direct-to-consumer mHealth devices are a potential asset to behavioral research but rarely tested as intervention tools. This trial examined the accelerometer-based Fitbit tracker and website as a low-touch physical activity intervention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate, within an RCT, the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of integrating the Fitbit tracker and website into a physical activity intervention for postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one inactive, postmenopausal women with BMI ≥25.0 were randomized to a 16-week web-based self-monitoring intervention (n=25) or comparison group (n=26). The Web-Based Tracking Group received a Fitbit, instructional session, and follow-up call at 4 weeks. The comparison group received a standard pedometer. All were asked to perform 150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Physical activity outcomes were measured by the ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were collected and analyzed in 2013-2014. Participants were aged 60 (SD=7) years with BMI of 29.2 (3.5) kg/m(2). Relative to baseline, the Web-Based Tracking Group increased MVPA by 62 (108) minutes/week (p<0.01); 10-minute MVPA bouts by 38 (83) minutes/week (p=0.008); and steps by 789 (1,979) (p=0.01), compared to non-significant increases in the Pedometer Group (between-group p=0.11, 0.28, and 0.30, respectively). The Web-Based Tracking Group wore the tracker on 95% of intervention days; 96% reported liking the website and 100% liked the tracker.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Fitbit was well accepted in this sample of women and associated with increased physical activity at 16 weeks. Leveraging direct-to-consumer mHealth technologies aligned with behavior change theories can strengthen physical activity interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. Electronic address: cadmusbertra@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cadmus-Bertram
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Bess H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Brittany L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Morey
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods*; D056044:Actigraphy / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*