An Online Community Improves Adherence in an Internet-Mediated Walking Program. Part 1: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

2010

Online Community Improves Participation in Walking Program

Sample size: 324 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Eysenbach Gunther, Ciccolo Joseph, Keeling Debbie, Jerome Gerald, Richardson Caroline R, Buis Lorraine R, Janney Adrienne W, Goodrich David E, Sen Ananda, Hess Michael L, Mehari Kathleen S, Fortlage Laurie A, Resnick Paul J, Zikmund-Fisher Brian J, Strecher Victor J, Piette John D

Primary Institution: University of Michigan

Hypothesis

Participants with access to online community features would increase step counts more and would remain engaged in the program longer than those without online community access.

Conclusion

Adding online community features to an Internet-mediated walking program did not increase average daily step counts but did reduce participant attrition.

Supporting Evidence

Both arms significantly increased their average daily steps between baseline and the end of the intervention period.
The percentage of completers was 13% higher in the online community arm than the no online community arm.
Participants with lower baseline social support posted more messages to the online community.

Takeaway

This study found that having an online community helped people stick with a walking program, even if it didn't make them walk more each day.

Methodology

This was a randomized controlled trial with sedentary adults who wore pedometers and were divided into two groups: one with online community access and one without.