An online social network to increase walking in dog owners: a randomized trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine if a social networking Web site (Meetup™) could deliver a multicomponent dog walking intervention to increase physical activity among sedentary dog owners.
Results Summary
Daily steps increased over time, with no significant differences between the Meetup™ and control conditions. The Meetup™ group reported increased perceived positive outcomes of dog walking, but no significant changes were observed in social support, sense of community, or barriers to dog walking.
Population
Sedentary dog owners (n = 102) from eight neighborhoods.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
social networking Web site (Meetup™) delivering a multicomponent dog walking intervention | increase | daily steps | sedentary dog owners | d = 0.28 | increased | #1 |
social networking Web site (Meetup™) delivering a multicomponent dog walking intervention | increase | perceived positive outcomes of dog walking | sedentary dog owners | d = 0.40 | reported an increase | #2 |
social networking Web site (Meetup™) delivering a multicomponent dog walking intervention | no change | social support | sedentary dog owners | no significant change | did not significantly change | #3 |
social networking Web site (Meetup™) delivering a multicomponent dog walking intervention | no change | sense of community | sedentary dog owners | no significant change | did not significantly change | #4 |
social networking Web site (Meetup™) delivering a multicomponent dog walking intervention | no change | dog walking barriers | sedentary dog owners | no significant change | did not significantly change | #5 |
monthly e-mails with content from the American Heart Association regarding increasing physical activity | no change | perceived positive outcomes of dog walking | sedentary dog owners | - | did not | #6 |
PURPOSE: Encouraging dog walking may increase physical activity in dog owners. This cluster-randomized controlled trial investigated whether a social networking Web site (Meetup™) could be used to deliver a multicomponent dog walking intervention to increase physical activity. METHODS: Sedentary dog owners (n = 102) participated. Eight neighborhoods were randomly assigned to the Meetup™ condition (Meetup™) or a condition where participants received monthly e-mails with content from the American Heart Association regarding increasing physical activity. The Meetup™ intervention was delivered over 6 months and consisted of newsletters, dog walks, community events, and an activity monitor. The primary outcome was steps; secondary outcomes included social support for walking, sense of community, perceived dog walking outcomes, barriers to dog walking, and feasibility of the intervention. RESULTS: Mixed-model analyses examined change from baseline to postintervention (6 months) and whether change in outcomes differed by condition. Daily steps increased over time (P = 0.04, d = 0.28), with no differences by condition. The time-condition interaction was significant for the perceived outcomes of dog walking (P = 0.04, d = 0.40), such that the Meetup™ condition reported an increase in the perceived positive outcomes of dog walking, whereas the American Heart Association condition did not. Social support, sense of community, and dog walking barriers did not significantly change. Meetup™ logins averaged 58.38 per week (SD, 11.62). Within 2 months of the intervention ending, organization of the Meetup™ groups transitioned from the study staff to Meetup™ members. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a Meetup™ group is feasible for increasing physical activity in dog owners. Further research is needed to understand how to increase participation in the Meetup™ group and facilitate greater connection among dog owners.