- Title
- Healthy mind, healthy body: a randomized trial testing the efficacy of a computer-tailored vs. interactive web-based intervention for increasing physical activity and reducing depressive symptoms
- Creator
- Rebar, Amanda L.; Boles, Cody; Burton, Nicola W.; Duncan, Mitch J.; Short, Camille E.; Happell, Brenda; Kolt, Gregory S.; Caperchione, Cristina M.; Rosenkranz, Richard R.; Vandelanotte, Corneel
- Relation
- Mental Health and Physical Activity Vol. 11, Issue October 2016, p. 29-37
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2016.08.001
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2016
- Description
- Physical activity is an effective primary or adjunctive treatment to reduce depressive symptoms. Computer-tailored and interactive web-based physical activity interventions are potentially effective and accessible means for promoting physical activity, but little evidence exists regarding their efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms. We conducted a 2-arm randomised trial to compare the efficacy of these web-based interventions for increasing physical activity and reducing depressive symptoms. Participants (18 years or older and had no health condition limiting physical activity) were randomised to have access to a web-based physical activity intervention program with either computer-tailored advice (MyPAA) or interactive features (Walk 2.0). Only half of participants accessed the website at least once (MyPAA: allocated n = 252, accessed program n = 154, 61.1%; Walk 2.0: allocated n = 262, accessed program n = 120, 45.8%). Participants and the research team were blinded to group assignment. There were no significant between-group differences in change of self-reported physical activity or depressive symptoms. Physical activity significantly increased from baseline to one month (g = 0.21) and three months (g = 0.20), and depressive symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to one month (g = 0.36) and three months (g = 0.42). People who visited the website more and for longer had larger changes in physical activity and depressive symptoms than those who visited less. Web-based interventions with computer-tailoring and interactive features show promise as a method for increasing physical activity and reducing depressive symptoms, particularly for those who engage with the program. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001215718.
- Subject
- exercise; mental health; website program; behaviour change
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1326266
- Identifier
- uon:25391
- Identifier
- ISSN:1755-2966
- Language
- eng
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