J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2019 Sep;30(3):257-270. 10.12799/jkachn.2019.30.3.257.

Effectiveness of a Workplace Walking Program Using a Fitness Tracker Including Individual Counseling and Tailored Text Messaging

• Jung M
• Ha Y

• KMID: 2459366
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2019.30.3.257

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study is designed as a non-equivalent, control group pre/post-test for identifying effectiveness of a workplace walking program using a fitness tracker including individual counseling and tailored text messaging.
METHODS
Seventy-nine employees from two large companies were allocated into an intervention group (n=39) and a control group (n=40). Participants were asked to wear a fitness tracker (Fitbit Charger HR) during 24-hour, 5-days per week, for 10 weeks. The intervention group was provided with daily walking steps measured by Fitbit, weekly counseling with a specifically designed workbook, and seven weekly text messaging, and the control group with the fitness tracker only.
RESULTS
At the week 10 measurement, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in physical activity self-efficacy (p<.001), physical activity behavior (p<.001), daily walking steps (p<.001), systolic blood pressure (p=.033), and wellness (p<.001).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that the workplace walking program using a fitness tracker including individual counseling and tailored text messaging is more effective for persons with 10,000 steps/day. Therefore, it is recommended to actively apply this workplace walking program to inactive employees for encouraging regular physical activities and improving their wellness.

Keyword

Fitness trackers; Text messaging; Workplace; Health promotion

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Counseling*
Health Promotion
Humans
Motor Activity
Text Messaging*
Walking*

Figure

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  Figure 1. Conceptual framework for workplace walking program.

Reference

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