Assessing the Influence of a Fitbit Physical Activity Monitor on the Exercise Practices of Emergency Medicine Residents: A Pilot Study.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Justin Schrager, Emory University; Philip Shayne, Emory University; Sarah Wolf, Emory University; Shamie Das, Emory University; Rachel Patzer, Emory University; Melissa White, Emory University; Sheryl Heron, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-01-31
• Publisher: JMIR Publications
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © Justin David Schrager, Philip Shayne, Sarah Wolf, Shamie Das, Rachel Elizabeth Patzer, Melissa White, Sheryl Heron.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.6239
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
• ISSN: 2291-5222
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: e2
• End Page: e2
• Keywords: medical residency; mobile health; personal fitness trackers; physical fitness trackers; activity trackers; wellness programs
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Recreation; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Background: Targeted interventions have improved physical activity and wellness of medical residents. However, no exercise interventions have focused on emergency medicine residents. Objective: This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of a wearable device for tracking physical activity on the exercise habits and wellness of this population, while also measuring barriers to adoption and continued use. Methods: This pre-post cohort study enrolled 30 emergency medicine residents. Study duration was 6 months. Statistical comparisons were conducted for the primary end point and secondary exercise end points with nonparametric tests. Descriptive statistics were provided for subjective responses. Results: The physical activity tracker did not increase the overall self-reported median number of days of physical activity per week within this population: baseline 2.5 days (interquartile range, IQR, 1.9) versus 2.8 days (IQR 1.5) at 1 month (P=.36). There was a significant increase in physical activity from baseline to 1 month among residents with median weekly physical activity level below that recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at study start, that is, 1.5 days (IQR 0.9) versus 2.4 days (IQR 1.2; P=.04), to 2.0 days (IQR 2.0; P=.04) at 6 months. More than half (60%, 18/30) of participants reported a benefit to their overall wellness, and 53% (16/30) reported a benefit to their physical activity. Overall continued use of the device was 67% (20/30) at 1 month and 33% (10/30) at 6 months. Conclusions: The wearable physical activity tracker did not change the overall physical activity levels among this population of emergency medicine residents. However, there was an improvement in physical activity among the residents with the lowest preintervention physical activity. Subjective improvements in overall wellness and physical activity were noted among the entire study population.