Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Sports Medicine Research Center, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan.
JMIR Aging. 2024 May 30;7:e56184. doi: 10.2196/56184.
The use of mobile apps has promoted physical activity levels. Recently, with an increasing number of older adults accessing the internet, app-based interventions may be feasible in older populations. Peer support-based interventions have become a common method for promoting health-related behavior change. To our knowledge, the feasibility of using digital peer support apps (DPSAs) to increase physical activity among older adults and its impact on physical activity and physical function have not been investigated.
This study aims to assess the feasibility of using DPSAs in older adults and to assess changes in physical activity and physical function in DPSA users.
We conducted a nonrandomized controlled trial of older adults aged ≥65 years. We recruited participants for 2 distinct 12-week programs designed to increase physical activity. Participants could choose between an intervention group (app program and exercise instruction) or a control group (exercise instruction only). DPSA creates a group chat for up to 5 people with a common goal, and participants anonymously post to each other in the group. Once a day, participants posted a set of their step counts, photos, and comments on a group chat box. The intervention group used the DPSA after receiving 2 face-to-face lectures on its use. The participants were characterized using questionnaires, accelerometers, and physical function assessments. The feasibility of the DPSA was assessed using retention and adherence rates. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers to measure the daily step count, light intensity physical activity, moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior. Physical function was assessed using grip strength and the 30-second chair-stand test.
The participants in the intervention group were more frequent users of apps, were more familiar with information and communication technology, and had a higher baseline physical activity level. The retention and adherence rates for the DPSA intervention were 88% (36/41) and 87.7%, respectively, indicating good feasibility. Participants in the intervention group increased their step count by at least 1000 steps and their MVPA by at least 10 minutes using the DPSA. There was a significant difference in the interaction between groups and intervention time points in the daily step count and MVPA (step count, P=.04; duration of MVPA, P=.02). The DPSA increased physical activity, especially in older adults with low baseline physical activity levels.
The feasibility of DPSA was found to be good, with the intervention group showing increases in daily steps and MVPA. The effects of DPSA on step count, physical activity, and physical function in older adults with low baseline physical activity should be investigated using randomized controlled trials.
移动应用程序的使用促进了身体活动水平的提高。最近，随着越来越多的老年人上网，基于应用程序的干预措施在老年人群中可能是可行的。基于同伴支持的干预措施已成为促进健康相关行为改变的常用方法。据我们所知，使用数字同伴支持应用程序（DPSA）来增加老年人的身体活动以及对身体活动和身体功能的影响尚未得到研究。
本研究旨在评估在老年人中使用 DPSA 的可行性，并评估 DPSA 用户的身体活动和身体功能的变化。
我们对年龄≥65 岁的老年人进行了非随机对照试验。我们招募了参加两个为期 12 周的计划的参与者，这些计划旨在增加身体活动。参与者可以选择干预组（应用程序程序和运动指导）或对照组（仅运动指导）。DPSA 为具有共同目标的最多 5 人创建一个群聊，参与者在群组中匿名相互发布消息。参与者每天在群聊框中发布一组自己的步数、照片和评论。干预组在接受了 2 次关于使用 DPSA 的面对面讲座后，使用了 DPSA。使用问卷、加速度计和身体功能评估对参与者进行了特征描述。使用保留率和依从率评估 DPSA 的可行性。使用加速度计测量每日步数、低强度体力活动、中等到剧烈强度体力活动（MVPA）和久坐行为来评估身体活动。使用握力和 30 秒椅站测试评估身体功能。
干预组的参与者更频繁地使用应用程序，对信息和通信技术更熟悉，并且基线身体活动水平更高。DPSA 干预的保留率和依从率分别为 88%（36/41）和 87.7%，表明可行性良好。使用 DPSA，干预组参与者的步数至少增加了 1000 步，MVPA 至少增加了 10 分钟。在每日步数和 MVPA 方面，组间和干预时间点的交互作用存在显著差异（步数，P=.04；MVPA 持续时间，P=.02）。DPSA 增加了身体活动，尤其是在基线身体活动水平较低的老年人中。
DPSA 的可行性良好，干预组的日常步数和 MVPA 均有所增加。应使用随机对照试验研究 DPSA 对低基线身体活动的老年人的步数、身体活动和身体功能的影响。
