Grant Details
Grant Number: |
5R01CA272933-03 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
Dunton, Genevieve |
Organization: |
University Of Southern California |
Project Title: |
Using Real-Time Data Capture to Examine Affective Mechanisms as Mediators of Physical Activity Adherence in Interventions |
Fiscal Year: |
2024 |
Abstract
PROJECT SUMMARY
Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality. Approximately 42% of cancer cases in the U.S. are potentially
avoidable, including 15% caused by excess body weight and physical inactivity. However, most U.S. adults are
physically inactive. Public health guidelines recommend combinations of activity intensity, frequency, and
duration to achieve a “dose” of at least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. While
this approach produces health benefits, it fails to address features of physical activity that may lead to
sustainability such as emotional experiences during behavior. To promote long-term maintenance, evidence-
based strategies are needed describing how affect can be incorporated into physical activity
recommendations. Although some people experience pleasure during physical activity, it can be extremely
unpleasant for others, especially among overweight and inactive individuals. Incentive salience theory proposes
affective responses (e.g., liking, disliking) during behavior influence affectively-charged motivations (e.g.,
wanting, dreading) to engage in future behaviors. However, whether modifying these affective mechanisms is a
useful intervention approach for increasing for physical activity is unknown. Using an experimental medicine
approach, this Phase 1 trial will test whether affective mechanisms can be experimentally manipulated
in real-world settings and whether affective mechanisms mediate the effects of interventions on physical
activity behavior among adults who are at elevated cancer risk. Pathways will be tested through a daily self-
regulation intervention delivered using interactive mobile technology among physically inactive adults (18-65
years) who are overweight or obese. In an affect-based condition, self-regulation strategies will target daily goals
related to enjoyment and feeling good during physical activity. In contrast, an intensity-based condition will target
daily heart rate goals during physical activity. Two enhancements to the affect-based condition are: (1) tailored
activity type and context recommendations to satisfy personally important psychological needs and (2) savoring
practices to increase the saliency of positive emotions during physical activity. A Formative study (N=36) will
iteratively test and refine the treatment implementation in terms of acceptability and feasibility of the content,
delivery, usage, and engagement. Subsequently, a 16-week Comparison study (N=280) will optimize the
treatment effects using a factorial (within x between) cross-over design. Affective mechanisms and physical
activity will be measured in daily life using real-time ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and
accelerometry, respectively. Specific aims are (1) test treatments to experimentally manipulate affective
mechanisms, (2) determine whether affective mechanisms mediate effects of treatments on physical activity,
and (3) explore cross-person and cross-situation moderating effects such as self-regulatory capacity and
situational factors. Overall, this study is impactful because it fulfills an explicit need for the systematic
translation of fundamental behavioral science processes into new health behavioral interventions.
Publications
Investigating the day-level associations between affective variability and physical activity using ecological momentary assessment.
Authors: Do B.
, Hedeker D.
, Wang W.L.
, Mason T.B.
, Belcher B.R.
, Miller K.A.
, Rothman A.J.
, Intille S.S.
, Dunton G.F.
.
Source: Psychology Of Sport And Exercise, 2024 Jan; 70, p. 102542.
EPub date: 2023-10-05 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 37805039
Related Citations
Affective Response During Real-World Physical Activity as an Intervention Mediator.
Authors: Dunton G.F.
, Crosley-Lyons R.
, Rhodes R.E.
.
Source: Exercise And Sport Sciences Reviews, 2023-10-01 00:00:00.0; 51(4), p. 140-149.
EPub date: 2023-05-17 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 37195062
Related Citations
Investigating the momentary association between maternal support and children's fruit and vegetable consumption using ecological momentary assessment.
Authors: Do B.
, Yang C.H.
, Lopez N.V.
, Mason T.B.
, Margolin G.
, Dunton G.F.
.
Source: Appetite, 2020-07-01 00:00:00.0; 150, p. 104667.
EPub date: 2020-03-12 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 32173569
Related Citations