Mary R. Janevic|Varick Shute|Susan L. Murphy|John D. Piette
Acceptability and Effects of Commercially Available Activity Trackers for Chronic Pain Management Among Older African American Adults
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|Michigan Department of Health and Human Services|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|VA Center for Clinical Management Research|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
abstract background wearable activity trackers may facilitate walking chronic pain management objective assessed acceptability commercially available tracker three alternative modes reporting daily steps among older adults lowincome urban community examined whether using tracker fitbit ziptm associated improvements functioning activity design randomized controlled pilot feasibility trial subjects fiftyone african american adults detroit michigan aged 60 85 years chronic musculoskeletal pain 28 intervention group 23 controls methods participants completed telephone surveys baseline eight weeks intervention participants wore trackers six weeks alternately reporting daily step counts via text messages automated telephone calls syncing two weeks used multimethods assess satisfaction trackers reporting modalities adherence indicated proportion expected days valid step counts reported assessed changes pain interference physical function social participation walking frequency walking duration results 90 participants rated trackers easy use technical dexterityrelated difficulties text reporting yielded 79 reporting adherence vs 69 automated calls syncing intervention participants show greater improvement functioning walking controls conclusions appropriate support wearable activity trackers mhealth reporting chronic pain selfcare feasible use vulnerable older adults future research test whether effects trackers painrelated outcomes enhanced incorporating behavior change strategies training evidencebased cognitivebehavioral techniques