title: "Not just another walking program": Everyday Activity Supports You (EASY) model-a randomized pilot study for a parallel randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Maintaining physical activity is an important goal with positive health benefits, yet many people spend most of their day sitting. Our Everyday Activity Supports You (EASY) model aims to encourage movement through daily activities and utilitarian walking. The primary objective of this phase was to test study feasibility (recruitment and retention rates) for the EASY model.
  
  
  
  This 6-month study took place in Vancouver, Canada, from May to December 2013, with data analyses in February 2014. Participants were healthy, inactive, community-dwelling women aged 55-70 years. We recruited through advertisements in local community newspapers and randomized participants using a remote web service. The model included the following: group-based education and social support, individualized physical activity prescription (called Activity 4-1-1), and use of a Fitbit activity monitor. The control group received health-related information only. The main outcome measures were descriptions of study feasibility (recruitment and retention rates). We also collected information on activity patterns (ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers) and health-related outcomes such as body composition (height and weight using standard techniques), blood pressure (automatic blood pressure monitor), and psychosocial variables (questionnaires).
  
  
  
  We advertised in local community newspapers to recruit participants. Over 3 weeks, 82 participants telephoned; following screening, 68% (56/82) met the inclusion criteria and 45% (25/56) were randomized by remote web-based allocation. This included 13 participants in the intervention group and 12 participants in the control group (education). At 6 months, 12/13 (92%) intervention and 8/12 (67%) control participants completed the final assessment. Controlling for baseline values, the intervention group had an average of 2,080 [95% confidence intervals (CIs) 704, 4,918] more steps/day at 6 months compared with the control group. There was an average between group difference in weight loss of -4.3 [95% CI -6.22, -2.40] kg and reduction in diastolic blood pressure of -8.54 [95% CI -16.89, -0.198] mmHg, in favor of EASY.
  
  
  
  The EASY pilot study was feasible to deliver; there was an increase in physical activity and reduction in weight and blood pressure for intervention participants at 6 months.
  
  
  
  ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01842061.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (UBC), 320-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Maureen C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ashe
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall Rm 11522, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; UBC Department of Psychology, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Christiane A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hoppmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (UBC), 320-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Martin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Level 3, Public Health Building, Herston Rd, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia; Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) Centre, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Level 3 Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N1H 8 K4, Canada.
authors.forename: Lora M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Giangregorio
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; UBC Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Room 7185, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC N2L 3G1, Canada.
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (UBC), 320-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Megan M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (UBC), 320-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: UBC School of Population and Public Health, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Sciences, 588-1081 Burrard Street, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Puyat
authors.affiliation: UBC School of Population and Public Health, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Sciences, 588-1081 Burrard Street, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (UBC), 320-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Joanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sims-Gould
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, 7F-2635 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (UBC), 320-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; UBC Department of Orthopaedics, 3114-910 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1 M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Heather A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: McKay
keywords: Motor activity; Retirement; Sedentary lifestyle; Self-management; Women