Understanding Goal Setting and Behavior Change in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Mikael Anne Greenwood-Hickman, David Arterburn, Julie Cooper, Bev Green, Erika Holden, Jennifer McClure, Dori Rosenberg
Primary Institution: Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute
Hypothesis
How can older adults effectively reduce sedentary behavior through tailored interventions?
Conclusion
The study found that a tailored intervention significantly reduced sitting time in older adults, with high participant satisfaction and effective goal-setting strategies.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants had high satisfaction with the intervention, with 95% reporting they were satisfied or very satisfied.
- 83% of participants reported perceived improvements to their health and daily functioning.
- SMART goals were set in 98% of intervention sessions.
Takeaway
Older adults can sit less by setting personal goals and using reminders that fit their lifestyle, and most participants felt better after the program.
Methodology
A 6-month randomized controlled trial with goal tracking and participant satisfaction assessments.
Limitations
The study may not generalize to all older adults as it focused on a specific intervention group.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 69, 62% women, 66% Non-Hispanic White.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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