Preliminary efficacy and feasibility of referral to exercise specialists, psychologists and provision of a technology-based behavior change support package to promote physical activity in school teachers 'at risk' of, or diagnosed with, type 2 diabetes: The 'SMART Health' Pilot Study Protocol

Maria L Murphy; David R Lubans; Kristen E Cohen; Sara L Robards; Magdalena Wilczynska; Sarah G Kennedy; Erica L James; Wendy J Brown; Kerry S Courneya; Ronald J Sigal; Ronald C Plotnikoff

doi:10.1016/j.cct.2019.01.007

Preliminary efficacy and feasibility of referral to exercise specialists, psychologists and provision of a technology-based behavior change support package to promote physical activity in school teachers 'at risk' of, or diagnosed with, type 2 diabetes: The 'SMART Health' Pilot Study Protocol

Contemp Clin Trials. 2019 Mar:78:53-62. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.01.007. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ University of Newcastle, Australia, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Level 3 Advanced Technology Centre (ATC316), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: maria.murphy@oun.edu.au.
² University of Newcastle, Australia, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Level 3 Advanced Technology Centre (ATC316), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
³ University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. Electronic address: kcohen4@une.edu.au.
⁴ University of Newcastle, Australia, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Level 3 Advanced Technology Centre (ATC316), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: sara.robards@newcastle.edu.au.
⁵ University of Newcastle, Australia, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Level 3 Advanced Technology Centre (ATC316), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; University of Newcastle, School of Psychology, Australia. Electronic address: magdalena.wilczynska@newcastle.edu.au.
⁶ University of Newcastle, Australia, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Level 3 Advanced Technology Centre (ATC316), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: sarah.kennedy@newcastle.edu.au.
⁷ University of Newcastle, Australia, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Level 3 Advanced Technology Centre (ATC316), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: erica.james@newcastle.edu.au.
⁸ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address: wbrown@uq.edu.au.
⁹ Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, 1-113 University Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H9, Canada. Electronic address: kerry.courneya@ualberta.ca.
¹⁰ University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada. Electronic address: rsigal@ucalgary.ca.
¹¹ University of Newcastle, Australia, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Level 3 Advanced Technology Centre (ATC316), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Ron.Plotnikoff@newcastle.edu.au.

PMID: 30639752
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.01.007

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global public health concern. Aerobic physical activity (PA) and resistance training (RT) play significant roles in the prevention and management of T2DM. The aim of this pilot trial is to determine the preliminary efficacy and confirm feasibility of referral to exercise physiologists, psychologists, and provision of a technology-based behavior change support package to promote aerobic PA and RT in school teachers 'at risk' of or diagnosed with T2DM.

Research design and methods: The SMART (Support, Motivation and Physical Activity Research for Teachers') Health pilot study will be evaluated using a three-arm randomized controlled trial. The intervention will be guided by Social Cognitive Theory, Health Action Process Approach Model and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies. The participants will be randomly allocated to one of three study groups: Group 1: wait-list control group; Group 2: 5 face-to-face visits with a psychologist and exercise specialist over 3 months; and Group 3: same as Group 2 plus technology-based behavior change support package for an additional 6 months. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 3-, 9- (primary time-point) and 18-months post-baseline. The primary outcome will be PA measured with pedometers.

Discussion: SMART Health is an innovative, multi-component intervention, that integrates referral to exercise specialists, psychologists and provision of a technology-based behavior support package to promote PA and RT in adults diagnosed with T2DM or 'at risk' of T2DM. The findings will be used to guide future PA interventions and to develop effective community-based diabetes prevention and treatment programs.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12616001309471.

Keywords: Adult; Aerobic activity; Behavior change support package; Exercise specialist; Psychologist; Resistance training.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Actigraphy
Adolescent
Adult
Australia
Body Mass Index
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
Exercise
Exercise Therapy / methods*
Feasibility Studies
Female
Health Behavior*
Health Promotion / organization & administration*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motivation
Pilot Projects
Quality of Life
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Referral and Consultation
Research Design
School Teachers*
Young Adult

Associated data

ANZCTR/ACTRN12616001309471