Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Feasibility Testing of a Physical Activity Micropattern Intervention Among Socioeconomically Diverse Women

ABSTRACT Background Most physical activity interventions adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, often developed and tested in higher socioeconomic groups, with little consideration of barriers experienced by women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Micropatterns, defined as brief bursts of moderate-to-vigorous incidental physical activity lasting under three minutes, represent a form of everyday movement that requires minimal time, equipment, or planning, making them a promising target for intervention. This randomized controlled study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of a co-designed wearable-based micropatterns intervention aimed at increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among socioeconomically diverse women. Methods A multi-centre, single-blinded, 6-week randomised controlled feasibility study was conducted among women from Sydney, Australia and Glasgow, UK aged ≥30 years who self-reported no leisure time physical activity and could comfortably participate in activities of daily living. To ensure socioeconomic diversity, we used quota-based recruitment with area-level and individual-level indicators of socioeconomic status. Participants were randomised to one of three intervention arms; 1) Smartphone application only (APP); 2) smartphone application combined with a wearable device (Fitbit Inspire 3; W-APP); and 3) smartphone application and wearable device, supplemented by a social community component that included two in-person workshops and online forums (W-APP-C). Feasibility was assessed as completion rates of the study and follow-up surveys were conducted to assess the acceptability of the intervention. Wrist-worn accelerometry was collected at pre- and post-intervention to assess the potential effectiveness of the intervention. Results Forty-three participants (mean age (SD); 54.8 (10.7) years) were recruited across both sites (APP n = 13; W-APP n = 17; W-APP-C n = 13). When taking into consideration individual-level indicators of socioeconomic status including income, number of dependents, and educational attainment, there was diverse representation across low (20.9%), medium (48.8%), and high (30.2%) socioeconomic groups. Completion of the 6-week intervention was high across both intervention sites and all three trial arms (86%). Qualitative feedback from both trial sites indicated high satisfaction, the majority of the participants thought the intervention was enjoyable (97.9%), user-friendly (69.9%), the wearable technology increased motivation to do activity (87.5%), and the community workshops were beneficial (75%). Across all participants, there was an average daily increase of 9.8 (27.8) min/day MVPA following the intervention. The greatest increase in MVPA was observed in the W-APP-C group (15.5 (23.1) min/day), followed by the APP group (11.4 (25.5) min/day), and the W-APP group 2.6 (32.1) min/day. Conclusions This multi-centre randomised controlled feasibility trial highlights the feasibility and acceptability of a wearable-based micropattern intervention in women from socioeconomically and culturally diverse backgrounds.