Prestwich Andrew, Conner Mark, Hurling Robert, Ayres Karen, Morris Ben
School of Psychology, University of Leeds, UK.
Unilever Research & Development, Colworth Laboratory, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK.
Br J Health Psychol. 2016 Nov;21(4):812-826. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12198.
To provide an experimental test of control theory to promote physical activity.
Parallel groups, simple randomized design with an equal chance of allocation to any group.
Participants not meeting recommended levels of physical activity but physically safe to do so (N = 124) were recruited on a UK university campus and randomized to goal-setting + self-monitoring + feedback (GS + SM + F, n = 40), goal-setting + self-monitoring (GS + SM, n = 40), or goal-setting only (GS, n = 44) conditions that differentially tapped the key features of control theory. Accelerometers assessed physical activity (primary outcome) as well as self-report over a 7-day period directly before/after the start of the intervention.
The participants in the GS + SM + F condition significantly outperformed those in the GS condition, d = 0.62, 95% CI d = 0.15-1.08, and marginally outperformed those in the GS + SM condition in terms of total physical activity at follow-up on the accelerometer measure, d = 0.33, 95% CI d = -0.13 to 0.78. The feedback manipulation (GS + SM + F vs. GS + SM and GS) was most effective when baseline intentions were weak. These patterns did not emerge on the self-report measure but, on the basis of this measure, the feedback manipulation increased the risk that participants coasted in relation to their goal in the first few days of the intervention period.
Using behaviour change techniques consistent with control theory can lead to significant short-term improvements on objectively assessed physical activity. Further research is needed to examine the underlying theoretical principles of the model. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Interventions incorporating more techniques that are consistent with control theory are associated with larger positive changes in health behaviours and related outcomes (see reviews by Dombrowski et al., ; Michie et al., ). However, none of the studies included in these reviews were explicitly based on control theory (see Prestwich et al., ). What does this study add? This study is the first experimental test of the cumulative effects of behaviour change techniques as proposed by control theory. Intervening on all aspects of the feedback loop noted by control theory leads to more change; however, the risk that some participants coast in relation to their set goal is significant. This approach increased physical activity more in those with weaker intentions pre-intervention.
对控制理论进行实验性测试，以促进身体活动。
平行组，简单随机设计，分配到任何一组的机会均等。
在英国大学校园招募未达到推荐身体活动水平但身体状况适宜进行此类活动的参与者（N = 124），并将其随机分为目标设定+自我监测+反馈组（GS + SM + F，n = 40）、目标设定+自我监测组（GS + SM，n = 40）或仅目标设定组（GS，n = 44），这些组分别利用了控制理论的关键特征。在干预开始前/后的7天内，通过加速度计评估身体活动（主要结果）以及自我报告。
在加速度计测量的随访总身体活动方面，GS + SM + F组的参与者显著优于GS组，d = 0.62，95% CI d = 0.15 - 1.08，并且略微优于GS + SM组，d = 0.33，95% CI d = -0.13至0.78。当基线意图较弱时，反馈操作（GS + SM + F与GS + SM和GS相比）最为有效。这些模式在自我报告测量中未出现，但基于此测量，反馈操作增加了参与者在干预期头几天相对于其目标放松努力的风险。
运用与控制理论一致的行为改变技术可在客观评估的身体活动方面带来显著的短期改善。需要进一步研究以检验该模型的潜在理论原则。贡献声明关于该主题已知的内容有哪些？纳入更多与控制理论一致技术的干预措施与健康行为及相关结果的更大积极变化相关（见Dombrowski等人、Michie等人的综述）。然而，这些综述中纳入的研究均未明确基于控制理论（见Prestwich等人）。本研究增加了什么？本研究是对控制理论提出的行为改变技术累积效应的首次实验性测试。对控制理论指出的反馈回路的各个方面进行干预会带来更多变化；然而，一些参与者相对于其设定目标放松努力的风险很大。这种方法在干预前意图较弱的人群中对增加身体活动的效果更明显。
