Uchechukwu Martha Chukwuemeka, Peace Ogechukwu Chukwu, Anthony Chinedu Anakor, Francis Sena Kwaku Nuvey, Ifeoma Adaigwe Amaechi, Bruno Enagnon Lokonon, Janeth Laurean, Ignatius Uche Nwankwo, Uchenna Prosper Okonkwo, Ebele Stella Nwokoye, Gilbert Fokou, Fatai Adesina Maruf, Clemence Esse-Diby, Bassirou Bonfoh
{"title":"Mobile-application-based performance feedback improves physical activity behaviour compared to education alone: a randomised controlled trial.","authors":"Uchechukwu Martha Chukwuemeka, Peace Ogechukwu Chukwu, Anthony Chinedu Anakor, Francis Sena Kwaku Nuvey, Ifeoma Adaigwe Amaechi, Bruno Enagnon Lokonon, Janeth Laurean, Ignatius Uche Nwankwo, Uchenna Prosper Okonkwo, Ebele Stella Nwokoye, Gilbert Fokou, Fatai Adesina Maruf, Clemence Esse-Diby, Bassirou Bonfoh","doi":"10.1186/s44247-025-00206-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mobile-health-applications demonstrate potential for reducing physical inactivity, yet evidence of their effectiveness in delivering performance feedback, particularly in workplace settings, remains limited. This 12-week randomised controlled trial evaluated the effects of mobile-application-based performance feedback (MABPF) on physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary time (ST) among 150 staff (aged 47.11 ± 6.46 years) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. Participants were randomly allocated to three groups: MABPF with hourly reminders (<i>n</i> = 52), MABPF only (<i>n</i> = 50), and control group (<i>n</i> = 48). All groups received education on cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity benefits. PA and sedentary time was assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form. Also, PA was objectively measured using pedometer, and Google Fit. Primary outcomes included step counts, PA levels, and ST.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At baseline, 14% of participants demonstrated low PA levels, with no significant between-group differences. Both MABPF intervention groups showed significant improvements in pedometer step counts, Google Fit metrics, walking scores, moderate and vigorous PA, total PA, and ST reduction (<i>p</i> < 0.05 for all comparisons). Between-group analyses revealed that MABPF with hourly reminders was significantly more effective than both MABPF-only and control groups for pedometer step counts (F = 7.336, significantly greater ST reduction compared to control (F = 3.405, <i>p</i> = 0.038).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MABPF interventions, particularly when combined with hourly reminders, significantly improved PA behaviours and reduced ST among university staff. These findings support the potential of theory-informed mobile health interventions for promoting PA in workplace settings.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>Pan African Clinical Trial Registry number, PACTR202405808298188 on 24 May, 2024.</p>","PeriodicalId":72426,"journal":{"name":"BMC digital health","volume":"3 1","pages":"65"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12454610/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"BMC digital health","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s44247-025-00206-z","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/9/23 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
Background: Mobile-health-applications demonstrate potential for reducing physical inactivity, yet evidence of their effectiveness in delivering performance feedback, particularly in workplace settings, remains limited. This 12-week randomised controlled trial evaluated the effects of mobile-application-based performance feedback (MABPF) on physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary time (ST) among 150 staff (aged 47.11 ± 6.46 years) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. Participants were randomly allocated to three groups: MABPF with hourly reminders (n = 52), MABPF only (n = 50), and control group (n = 48). All groups received education on cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity benefits. PA and sedentary time was assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form. Also, PA was objectively measured using pedometer, and Google Fit. Primary outcomes included step counts, PA levels, and ST.
Results: At baseline, 14% of participants demonstrated low PA levels, with no significant between-group differences. Both MABPF intervention groups showed significant improvements in pedometer step counts, Google Fit metrics, walking scores, moderate and vigorous PA, total PA, and ST reduction (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Between-group analyses revealed that MABPF with hourly reminders was significantly more effective than both MABPF-only and control groups for pedometer step counts (F = 7.336, significantly greater ST reduction compared to control (F = 3.405, p = 0.038).
Conclusion: MABPF interventions, particularly when combined with hourly reminders, significantly improved PA behaviours and reduced ST among university staff. These findings support the potential of theory-informed mobile health interventions for promoting PA in workplace settings.
Clinical trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry number, PACTR202405808298188 on 24 May, 2024.
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