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Promoting walking with pedometers in the community: the Step by Step trial
Merom D, Rissel C, Phongsavan P, Smith B, van Kemende C, Brown W, Bauman AE
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2007 Apr;32(4):290-297
clinical trial
6/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

BACKGROUND: Pedometers have been identified as a potential motivational aid for increasing physical activity, but their efficacy has not been demonstrated in a community-based, nonclinical sample. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from August to December 2005. Analysis was completed in June 2006. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Inactive adults aged 30 to 65 years (n = 369) recruited from the community. INTERVENTION: Comparison of a theoretically based self-help walking program (WP) and weekly diaries (sent by mail); the same walking program with a pedometer (WPP) (also by mail); and a no-treatment control group (C). MEASURES: Change in self-reported leisure time in any sports/recreation in the last 3 months, and all-purpose walking (APW) for exercise, recreation, and travel, and other moderate, vigorous physical activity in the last week. Proportions meeting physical activity recommendations (equal to or greater than 150 minutes and equal to or greater than five sessions/week) were determined. RESULTS: A 3-month follow-up interview was conducted with 314 (85%) participants. Intention-to-treat analyses indicated significance within-group increases of APW and leisure-time walking (LTW), but mean and median sessions and minutes changes were greatest in the WPP group. There were no significant between-group differences in regular LTW (walked equal to or greater than 5 sessions/week for at least 30 minutes/session), but the WPP group increased significantly participation in other sports/recreations and was more likely than the control group to meet physical activity recommendations by all leisure-time physical activity (adjusted odds ratio 2.40, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.93), by APW (adjusted odds ratio 1.75 95% CI 0.92 to 3.34) and all physical activity (adjusted odds ratio 1.59 95% CI 0.92 to 2.79) in the last week. CONCLUSIONS: Pedometers enhanced the effects of the self-help walking program. This low-cost intervention should be tested for sustainability.

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